The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) say there was no justice for the victims of the Marikana massacre.
The party also criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa’s role in demanding “accompanying action” against striking workers at the Lonmin mine, where he was a non-executive director.
It says that his path to the presidency is paved with the blood of the deceased.
Today, 10 years since the day of the tragedy, the memory of the death of 34 workers is commemorated.
EFF National Spokesperson Sinawo Tamba says the Marikana massacre has permanently damaged South Africa.
Tambo says: “The EFF is demanding compensation for the widows and children of the Marikana miners. We are calling on mines across the platinum belt to build houses, schools, clinics and infrastructure in Marikana.”
“We call to make August 16 a public holiday so that future generations will always know what happened that day, that a democratic state killed people for profit. No one should tire of demanding justice for the people of Marikana because this nation will never know peace until there is justice for those who died that day.”
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Marikana massacre, when South African police opened fire on black miners.
May their undying spirit live long to inspire us never to betray black people for white monopoly capitalists.#RememberMarikana pic.twitter.com/Zy0dmtGAG8
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 16, 2022
Communities
Communities living near the current Sibanye-Stillwater platinum mine in Rustenburg in the northwest say little has been developed in their region.
They spoke on the sidelines of the 10th commemoration of the Marika massacre, where 34 mine workers died.
They accuse the government and the former owners of the Lonmin Platinum Mine of making promises they could not keep
One resident says: “I’m here in Marikana, there is no change here. Lonmin said they will develop and help us. There is no water. All our children are not helped here.”
Another says: “There is no development here. We are in poverty. We want money to be profitable. We want to take our children to school.”
Business
Traders selling their wares at the 10th Marikana commemoration ceremony outside Rustenburg in the north west say the day is good for their business as they can at least make some money.
SABC News talked to some traders who sell food and other goods.’
One trader says, “It’s my first time here and I’ll be here until it’s busy, and I’ve only come to sell for today.”
“I came only for this day and things are going well. Although we will have something to feed the families,” adds another.
VIDEO: Dr Trevor Ngwane looks back on the last ten years since the massacre:
