Marikana to protest police brutality

Women join striking Lonmin mineworkers in Marikana, North West, on 18 August 2012. Picture: Govan Whittles/EWN.
| 22 September 2012
MARIKANA - Residents are expected to protest again on Saturday, this time against what they believe is the police's use of excessive force.

The Marikana Solidarity Campaign has slammed the local municipality for refusing them permission to strike, but says this will not deter them.

The demonstration comes after local councillor Pauline Masutlhe died in hospital after being shot by police with rubber bullets last week.

The campaign’s Riaad Desai says the police’s occupation of the area is the violation of the residents’ rights.

“We believe that people’s rights of movement and freedom of speech are being compromised.”

Desai also raised questions about whether officers, who shot Masutlhe, used runner bullets or live ammunition.

He said the Masutlhe family intends taking legal action against government and the Police Ministry.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is investigating the death.

In August, at least 35 people were killed during clashes with police.

Miners from Lonmin’s Marikana were demanding better salaries and police fired live ammunition at the protesting crowd.

In total, 45 people lost their lives.

Meanwhile, President Jacob Zuma approved the deployment of the army in Marikana earlier this week.

The army is expected to assist the police in keeping an eye on the area.

At the same time, the leadership of the National Union of Mine Workers (Num) have signed a memorandum of understanding with striking workers at KDC East mine.

The company says this means the 11-day strike will come to an end and workers will resume their duties on Tuesday.

But, it seems a wildcat strike is underway at Anglo Gold Ashanti's Kopanang Operation, near Orkney in the North West.

(Edited by Lindiwe Mlandu)