The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has called for the official commemoration of the Marikana massacre to respect those who died in the mining protest in 2012.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa has written to President Jacob Zuma calling for the fateful day of August 16 to be known as 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 during that fateful day and who was responsible for it.
“Upon its release, the report fell hopelessly short of expectations.”
On August 16 2012, 34 Lonmin miners were shot and killed by police as they were protesting for better wages.
The protest, which lasted for three weeks, saw 44 people being killed including two police officers and two security guards.
This prompted Zuma to appoint retired Judge Ian Farlam to head up the Marikana Commission of Inquiry.
The commission’s report was only released late last month and it left many unhappy as none of the officers who shot and killed the miners were arrested.
Holomisa said the report provided no clear answers and didn’t hold any political leader accountable for the tragic incident, which left South Africans and the families of the victims none the wiser.
“The Marikana massacre stands out as the worst case of police brutality in post-apartheid South Africa, where more than 30 miners were massacred by the South African police for demanding a living wage and an improvement in their working conditions.
“It is our considered view that government should initiate the establishment of a committee compromised 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,” said Holomisa.
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 breadwinners perished in that tragic incident”.
Presidential spokesman Harold Maloka promised to look at the letter sent by Holomisa but at the time of going to print, he had not responded.
Holomisa said they would also table this proposal at the first sitting of the national parliament this month.
“We will table this as a motion without notice in an attempt to get the National Assembly to officially adopt it as its resolution.” — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Call for Marikana commemoration
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa has written to President Jacob Zuma calling for the fateful day of August 16 to be known as 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 during that fateful day and who was responsible for it.
“Upon its release, the report fell hopelessly short of expectations.”
On August 16 2012, 34 Lonmin miners were shot and killed by police as they were protesting for better wages.
The protest, which lasted for three weeks, saw 44 people being killed including two police officers and two security guards.
This prompted Zuma to appoint retired Judge Ian Farlam to head up the Marikana Commission of Inquiry.
The commission’s report was only released late last month and it left many unhappy as none of the officers who shot and killed the miners were arrested.
Holomisa said the report provided no clear answers and didn’t hold any political leader accountable for the tragic incident, which left South Africans and the families of the victims none the wiser.
“The Marikana massacre stands out as the worst case of police brutality in post-apartheid South Africa, where more than 30 miners were massacred by the South African police for demanding a living wage and an improvement in their working conditions.
“It is our considered view that government should initiate the establishment of a committee compromised 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,” said Holomisa.
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 breadwinners perished in that tragic incident”.
Presidential spokesman Harold Maloka promised to look at the letter sent by Holomisa but at the time of going to print, he had not responded.
Holomisa said they would also table this proposal at the first sitting of the national parliament this month.
“We will table this as a motion without notice in an attempt to get the National Assembly to officially adopt it as its resolution.” — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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