SOWETAN

Not much done since the Marikana massacre

By Nomahlubi Jordaan | Aug 15, 2016 | 

While “significant strides” have been made since the Marikana massacre‚ a lot is still to be realised.

This is according to Bishop Jo Seoka‚ one of the overseers of the Marikana commemorations.

Tuesday‚ August 16 marks four years since the Marikana massacre in which 34 mineworkers were shot dead‚ but the demands of the victims of the fateful event and families of those who died are‚ according to Seoka‚ yet to be met.

“We’ve been asking for the building of a monument where the names of those who died will be inscribed.

“We’ve been asking the government to declare August 16 a public holiday‚” Seoka said at a press briefing on Monday.

He said the victims of the massacre and the families of those who died are still waiting for a public apology from those directly involved in the massacre.

“Many wounds won’t heal until the demands are met. Widows want to know who gave authority for the trigger to be pulled. They want to know what happened‚” said Seoka.

While salaries of the mine workers at Lonmin have increased‚ the bulk of them still live in squalor and work under dangerous conditions‚ Seoka said.

“Very little is being done in Madibeng. The results of the [local government] elections reflect the anger of the people

“It is a strong message that people are fed up. We can’t celebrate the fifth anniversary [of the Marikana massacre] with empty hands.”