Friday
10 August 2012
Illegal strike at Lonmin starts.
Pictures: EWN/Sapa
Illegal strike at Lonmin starts.
Two Lonmin security guards set alight and killed.
Two police officers hacked to death and their firearms stolen from striking miners.
Journalists discover the body of a miner lying in the middle of the open field near the infamous koppie.
More police officers deployed to the area to try and disperse the protesters who have now been gathering at the koppie since Friday.
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.
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.
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.
Miners move from the now infamous koppie and start gathering behind the informal settlement.
President Jacob Zuma arrives at the miners’ gathering place to listen to their grievances, miners show him bullet casings from August the 16th shooting.
Memorial service held at Marikana for miners who lost their lives.
Talks begin to end wage dispute.
Lonmin signs peace accord with unions, excluding AMCU.
Strike is called off, workers accept wage offer.
Marikana Commission of Inquiry starts at the Rustenburg Civic Centre, initially set down for four months.
After the Inquiry is extended several times, it is moved from Rustenburg to Centurion after lawyers complain about traveling expenses.
Inquiry postponed several times as Advocate Dali Mpofu fights for state funding in order to continue representing the miners.
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.