R352m in compensation paid out to Marikana massacre victims, says Justice Dept

CAPE TOWN - The Department of Justice says it has paid out R352 million in compensation to the victims of the Marikana massacre. 

August 16 marks 12 years since 34 miners were killed in clashes with the police. 

Justice Minister Thembi Simelane said she was committed to finalising the issue of compensation to their families, including a pending decision from the Gauteng High Court on constitutional damages. 

But the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) said that more than 100 people affected by the tragedy were yet to receive reparations.

Simelane said that the compensated victims included the families of the 34 miners who lost their lives on this day in 2012, the more than 70 people injured and around 250 who were arrested. 

She said that each case had been assessed individually to ensure compensation aligned with the legal framework and court directives. 

"We’ve resolved most aspects of the Marikana matter, with the exception of the constitutional damages, which are currently under consideration by the Gauteng High Court." 

However, Solicitor-General Fhedizisani Pandelani said that government could not yet act on an unprecedented class action claim on behalf of over 300 dependents for constitutional damages. 

"If settlement is to be reached based on a court decision, the baseline budget that will be implicated will be that of another government department and normal processes will have to be followed. The baseline budget holder will be the South African Police Services."

The Socio-Economic Rights Institute on Friday questioned why at least 129 people had not been successful in their claims from the state.