The 10th anniversary of the Marikana massacre went off without a hitch on Tuesday with scores of people gathering at the mine where the miners were killed.
FILE: The Marikana community demonstrates at the 10th commemoration of the Marikana Massacre. Photo: Abigail Javier/Eyewitness News.
MARIKANA – Family, friends and former colleagues have vowed not to give up their fight for better development in Marikana – along with restitution for those still struggling financially today – 10 years after they lost their husbands to murder 34 mine workers.
The 10th anniversary of the Marikana massacre went off without a hitch on Tuesday with scores of people gathering at the mine where the miners were killed.
On August 16, 2012, 34 miners were shot in this area.
The skirmish with law enforcement agencies took place against the background of unsuccessful salary negotiations.
Ten years later, victims’ families and survivors say they have yet to see justice.
In keeping with current tradition, miners in the platinum belt stopped work in honor of those who died at the infamous mine.
Along the road leading to the memorial, local entrepreneurs set up stalls.
The Amcu union had hoped to gather more than 25,000 people to observe the commemoration, but the turnout was well below the target.
Battle songs were played as some members of the community gathered to honor the lives of the fallen miners. The songs criticized the then administration.
Human rights activist Dali Mpofu, UDM leader Bantu Holamisa and One SA leader Mmusi Maimane joined the crowd.
They all called on the government to speed up the Marikana recovery plan.
This includes effective service delivery and compensation to affected families.
[VIDEO] Crowds of people gathered in Marikana to mark the 10th anniversary of the commemoration #Marica massacre @NkoRaphael pic.twitter.com/p0NEUKPT5X
EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) August 16, 2022
