Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
21 August 2023 | 09:42 CAT

Image: Twitter

Eleven years later, after Marikana Massacre claimed the lives of miners in the North West mining town and remains the most lethal use of force by the South African Police Service in post-1994 South Africa. Forty-four people died, dozens more were injured, and more than 250 were arrested.

The tragedy followed a six-week strike over wages and better living and work conditions.

Mineworkers at Lonmin (now Sibanye-Stillwater) had protested, demanding a minimum wage of R12,500 per month and better living and working conditions. As the protests continued and Lonmin’s management refused to negotiate, tensions escalated, resulting in the gunning down of protesters.

The police acted at the behest of Lonmin’s management – President Cyril Ramaphosa was a Lonmin shareholder. Police were accountable to the then Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, and the then Minister of Mineral Resources, Susan Shabangu.

Since 2021, six officers have been on trial for what transpired on that tragic day. They include former North West deputy police commissioner Major General William Mpembe – the only person charged with the murder of Semi Jokanisi – for ordering police to open fire on the mineworkers.

Amnesty International South Africa has written to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and the National Prosecuting Authority in the North West, asking for answers as to why there have been no prosecutions 11 years after the massacre.

The IPID said the role of police deployed in Marikana on that day was being investigated and added that the cases had now been transferred to the North West Director of Public Prosecutions.

Amnesty International’s Shenilla Mohamed says the lack of prosecutions for the killings entrenches a culture of impunity in South Africa.

“We made it clear to IPID and the NPA that waiting 11 years for accountability was unacceptable. The excuse that investigations were stopped until 2016, is also not a good enough excuse, it still means that there have been seven years with no prosecutions and no accountability,” Mohamed said.

Meanwhile, the organisation Sibusiso Khasa spoke to Radio Islam International on the developments which have recently emerged.

The NPA claims that investigations have yet to be concluded due to a lack of resources, but they are now ready to prosecute on this particular matter. However, it has taken so long even to say that we are prepared, to begin with prosecution shows that there has been a lack of will in terms of investigating and protecting.”

On 16 August 2023, South Africa commemorated the 11th anniversary of the Marikana Massacre.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany.