Marikana
Explore EWN's interactive feature on the Marikana tragedy.
Pictures: EWN/Sapa
Friday
10 August 2012
Illegal strike at Lonmin starts.
Sunday
12 August 2012
Two Lonmin security guards set alight and killed.
Monday
13 August 2012
Two police officers hacked to death and their firearms stolen from striking miners.
Tuesday
14 August 2012
Journalists discover the body of a miner lying in the middle of the open field near the infamous koppie.
Wednesday
15 August 2012
More police officers deployed to the area to try and disperse the protesters who have now been gathering at the koppie since Friday.
Thursday
16 August 2012
North West Police Commissioner Zukiswa Mbombo announces that the violence will end today. Police implement operation to disperse crowd. After water cannons, teargas and rubber bullets were used, police opened fire with live rounds. 34 protesters were killed and over 70 wounded.
Friday
17 August 2012
Police hold press briefing along with National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega to explain their actions. President Jacob Zuma arrives in the evening and announces that he has appointed a commission of inquiry to investigate.
Monday
20 August 2012
Strike continues. Miners still demanding a R12,500 salary. Miners say they will rather die than return to work. Inter-Ministerial Committee appointed to investigate start its work.
Tuesday
21 August 2012
Miners move from the now infamous koppie and start gathering behind the informal settlement.
Wednesday
22 August 2012
President Jacob Zuma arrives at the miners’ gathering place to listen to their grievances, miners show him bullet casings from August the 16th shooting.
Thursday
23 August 2012
Memorial service held at Marikana for miners who lost their lives.
Wednesday
29 August 2012
Talks begin to end wage dispute.
Thursday
6 September 2012
Lonmin signs peace accord with unions, excluding AMCU.
Tuesday
18 September 2012
Strike is called off, workers accept wage offer.
Wednesday
3 October 2012
Marikana Commission of Inquiry starts at the Rustenburg Civic Centre, initially set down for four months.
June 2013
After the Inquiry is extended several times, it is moved from Rustenburg to Centurion after lawyers complain about traveling expenses.
August 2013
Inquiry postponed several times as Advocate Dali Mpofu fights for state funding in order to continue representing the miners.
Marikana
On 16 August 2012, 34 miners were killed in a stand-off with police near Lonmin’s Platinum Mine in Marikana in the North West province. The event made global headlines and triggered debate and change in the mining industry that many say was years in the making.
