The United Democratic Movement (UDM) leadership has called for the official commemoration of the Marikana massacre to respect those who died during a mining protest in 2012.
Bantu Holomisa has written to President Jacob Zuma calling for the fateful day of August 16 to be known as the National Marikana Day.
“We propose that August 16 be commemorated annually as the National Marikana Day. This will also serve as a reminder to both current and future generations that the price of democracy is eternal vigilance against any abuses of power, whether by the state or its organs,” said Holomisa.
In the letter to Zuma, Holomisa said the Marikana report by the Farlam Commission fell “hopelessly short” of expectations.
“The nation and the families of the victims of the massacre eagerly awaited the release of the report of the Marikana Commission of Inquiry, hoping that it would, once and for all, provide answers to lingering questions about what really happened on that fateful day and who was responsible for it. Upon its release, the report fell hopelessly short of expectations.”
He said the report provided no clear answers and holds no political leader accountable for the tragic incident, which leaves South Africans and the families of the victims none the wiser.
“It is our considered view that government should initiate the establishment of a committee comprised of all the relevant stakeholders in Marikana to discuss a possible way forward, which should include, but not limited to, compensation to the families of victims.”
He said such a step would go a long way towards addressing the families’ bread and butter issues “as many of them struggle to make ends meet because their bread winners perished in that tragic incident”. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Holomisa calls for official commemoration of Marikana massacre
Bantu Holomisa has written to President Jacob Zuma calling for the fateful day of August 16 to be known as the National Marikana Day.
“We propose that August 16 be commemorated annually as the National Marikana Day. This will also serve as a reminder to both current and future generations that the price of democracy is eternal vigilance against any abuses of power, whether by the state or its organs,” said Holomisa.
In the letter to Zuma, Holomisa said the Marikana report by the Farlam Commission fell “hopelessly short” of expectations.
“The nation and the families of the victims of the massacre eagerly awaited the release of the report of the Marikana Commission of Inquiry, hoping that it would, once and for all, provide answers to lingering questions about what really happened on that fateful day and who was responsible for it. Upon its release, the report fell hopelessly short of expectations.”
He said the report provided no clear answers and holds no political leader accountable for the tragic incident, which leaves South Africans and the families of the victims none the wiser.
“It is our considered view that government should initiate the establishment of a committee comprised of all the relevant stakeholders in Marikana to discuss a possible way forward, which should include, but not limited to, compensation to the families of victims.”
He said such a step would go a long way towards addressing the families’ bread and butter issues “as many of them struggle to make ends meet because their bread winners perished in that tragic incident”. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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