By Hassan Isilow
JOHANNESBURG (AA) – Thousands of South Africans on Tuesday gathered in the small town of Marikana to commemorate 34 mineworkers killed by police during a protest four years ago.
Police opened fire on hundreds of mineworkers who were striking to demand a minimum wage of 12,500 rand ($940) from their employer, British mining giant Lonmin Platinum.
Seventy other mineworkers were injured during the incident that sparked outrage all over the country.
President Jacob Zuma then appointed a commission of inquiry to investigate circumstances that led to the killings. Police commissioner Riyah Piyega was suspended following the incident.
Mmusi Maimane, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance, said in a speech Tuesday:
“We stand here four years later without justice for those who lost their lives. Those who presided over the massacre still hold high office, and there has been no accountability or reckoning.”
Maimane said his party had petitioned parliament to establish a compensation fund for families who lost relatives during the catastrophic event.
However, some residents of Marikana told local radio they were disappointed President Zuma was not at the commemoration.
“We wanted him to see the conditions we go through here daily,” one resident said.
The government was represented by the premier of the North West province Supra Mahumapelo who said the state had built houses to accommodate residents of the mining town.
The premier also said a “Marikana reconciliation, healing and renewal committee” had been established to secure a long-lasting peace.
Former mineworker Sandile Nxumalo told local television nothing had changed for mineworkers as they continued to live in tin houses.
Amnesty International on Monday condemned Lonmin in a report for failing to provide adequate housing to thousands of its workers who live in squalid conditions in shanty towns around the mine.
In a response, Lonmin said the provision of housing for their entire workforce will take time and will involve the cooperation of all relevant stakeholders.
The platinum producer also admitted that 13,500 of its employees, mostly migrants, did not have formal housing.
