CAPE TOWN - The government has been urged to urgently implement all the recommendations of the Marikana Commission of Inquiry.

Sunday marks three years since police killed the 34 mineworkers and 10 people were killed in the week leading up to the shootings.

The call came during a snap debate in the National Assembly on the commission's report which was released in June.

The debate on Thursday took place as preparations are underway to mark the third anniversary of the tragedy this weekend.

President Jacob Zuma, his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa and the African National Congress (ANC) came under sustained opposition attack for failing to take decisive action.

Accusing the government of pre-meditated murder, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema insisted top cop Riah Phiyega should not take the rap alone.

"There must not be another Eugene de Kock who gets sacrificed for all the sins of the apartheid regime and political principles are celebrated as peacemakers."

He said the massacre must not be used as political football and that the EFF is genuinely concerned about conditions in mines.

Malema told the house action needed to be taken.

"Marikana was a murder that was facilitated in clear day light and under political supervision and influence of politicians, many of whom continue to enjoy privileges of this house."

He said the correct people need to be arrested.

"Bureaucrat and ground forces of this murderous regime must not be the only ones that take full blame on Marikana."

GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO ACCOUNT

Malema told Members of Parliament (MPs) a close reading of the Farlam Commission of Inquiry's report showed it to be a massacre.

Malema said government's top leadership must be prosecuted.

"They certainly were aware and approved of the mass killing of workers. What this means is that the ANC government with the influence of business politicians, in particular Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, premeditated the killing of mineworkers in Marikana."

The Inkatha Freedom Party's (IFP) Albert Mncwango says the police commissioner is not fit for duty.

"Civilians have no place in such office. The IFP has time and again called for the honourable president to remove the National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega from her post."

The National Freedom Party (NFP) Nhlanhla Khubisa said police leadership must be held accountable.

"Apparently top police management were found to have been complicit in giving instructions to senior police officers, their subordinates and directors of brigadiers about the actions the latter needed to take."

No cabinet ministers took part in the debate.

ANC Member of Parliament Connie September said Marikana should not be allowed to divide the country.

"We call on the government to urgently implement all the recommendations of the commission"

Democratic Alliance leader, Mmusi Maimane said the government must pay for what happened.

"Irony the irony behind all of this is that the Marikana inquiry cost R153 million."

If there was any consensus in the house, it was that such a shocking event should never be allowed to happen again.