Eyewitness News: Govt. appoints Marikana inter-ministerial committee

Theo Nkonki | 19 August 2012
MARIKANA - Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane will lead an inter-ministerial committee to ensure that the victims of the Lonmin bloodbath are buried.

At least 34 miners were killed during clashes with police on Thursday.

The Presidency says other members of the committee include North West Premier Thandi Modise and the Minister of Mineral Resources Susan Shabangu and Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa.

Seven other Cabinet members are also part of the committee.

Meanwhile, the South African Communist Party (SACP) has welcomed President Jacob Zuma's announcement of a commission of inquiry into the Marikana mine bloodbath.

The president cut his Sadc trip short on Friday to visit the victims. He went to the local hospital to talk to those injured.

Overall 40 people, including two officers, have died in violence linked to an illegal strike.

The SACP says the probe's scope should be broad and intensive.

SACP Secretary-General Blade Nzimande says, “The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) was formed to undermine the National Union of Metalworkers. The commission should investigate Amcu’s leader Joseph Mathunjwa.”

Meanwhile, Amcu has rubbished claims that it is not recognised at the mine.

The union maintains it represents over 7,000 miners from Marikana.

At the same time, Lonmin management has given striking workers a final ultimatum.

The company has called on all workers to return to work on Monday or risk being fired.

The company has also promised to fund the education of the children of the miners that lost their lives.

REACTION

Meanwhile, there has been mixed reactions to the bloodshed.

Most South Africans took to social networks to voice their opinions on the matter.

Amiel tweeted “if the workers were civil there would not have been any loss of life! #Lonmin

While Alex Corin wrote “Anyone in the SAPS situation would done the same. Its easy to blame from the sidelines."

Tsholo Mashishi wrote “The #marikana shootings happen on the same day parliament unanimously approve the deadly force bill.

(Edited by Lindiwe Mlandu)

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