South Africa commemorates killing of mineworkers

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG

The South African government on Thursday commemorated 34 mineworkers killed by police during a protest six years ago.

Police opened fire on hundreds of mineworkers at a platinum mine in the small mining town of Marikana in Northwest Province who were striking to demand a monthly minimum wage of 12,500 ($860) from their employer, British mining giant Lonmin. They also wanted better living conditions.

Seventy others were injured during the incident, which sparked national outrage.

“The government pledges its full support, in partnership with mining companies and communities, to accelerate change in the living and working conditions of mine workers,” it said in a statement distributed to reporters Thursday.

Joseph Mathunjwa, president of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, said workers’ living conditions have not changed six years after the tragic incident, with most of them still in shacks.

No one has been charged with the 2012 massacre, which was captured on live television, despite a commission of inquiry being instituted.

“This day six years ago was the shameful moment that exposed our government to the world for what it was: not the visionary, compassionate government of Nelson Mandela,” Mmusi Maimane, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance, said in a statement.

Maimane said he has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa asking him to declare Aug. 16 as Marikana Memorial Day in honor of the workers killed.