· The South African government has paid more than R350 million in claims to families and survivors of the Marikana massacre since 2012.
· Julius Malema says President Cyril Ramaphosa failed to bring justice for the 34 workers shot dead in Marikana during a wage protest.
The Marikana massacre happened on 16 August 2012 when police opened fire on striking workers at the Lonmin Platinum mine, now owned by Sibanye-Stillwater, in the North West province.
Mineworkers were demanding higher wages. But the protest ended in bloodshed when police gunned down 34 of them in front of live cameras.
A commission of inquiry later recommended that police officers involved should be investigated. But 13 years later, no officer has been prosecuted.
Over the years, the government has paid more than R350 million in compensation to the families of those who were killed and others who were injured.
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) said the massacre was “a premeditated act of state violence in defence of capital”. It accused the government of failing to carry out the recommendations of the commission.
“Dialogue without justice is a betrayal to the victims and a mockery to the working class,” Saftu said.
Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema also attacked President Cyril Ramaphosa for failing to deliver justice.
“It is not surprising that the ANC has refused to bring justice to the families of the victims,” said Malema. “There have been no prosecutions or change to the mining sector that continues to enrich a few at the expense of the many.”
In 2022, the Gauteng High Court ruled that Ramaphosa did not carry legal responsibility for the killings. But Malema insists the workers died in vain because their demands remain unmet and their killers remain free.
Pictured above: Miners
Image source: Supplied
