Johannesburg - The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) on Thursday warned government to desist from opposing a high court civil claim lodged against the police ministry for the families of mine workers killed in Marikana three years ago.
“We demand that the government desist from contesting these claims but to rather speedily provide compensation to the victims’ families,” Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa told journalists in Johannesburg.
The families of the slain 34 mine workers, who died during an unprotected strike at Lonmin’s Marikana operation in August 2012, are demanding compensation from the police ministry and an apology.
The claims, supported by Amcu, was lodged in the High Court in Pretoria by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI)‚ and the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) and Wits Law Clinic.
On Wednesday, Police Minister Nathi Nhleko said he believed that the court action would bring closure “to this sad chapter in the history of our country”.
“We are on record as saying that what happened in Marikana shouldn’t have happened. President Zuma, in recognition of the gravity of the situation, appointed the Farlam Commission which has made its recommendations that we are already in the process of implementing,” Nhleko said.
Mathunjwa added his union was seeking legal advice to have the outcomes of the Farlam Commission reviewed if necessary.
“That will be undertaken if we find that it is necessary to do so and support a possible independent inquiry,” he said.
The Farlam Commission, established by Zuma to probe the killings, found amongst others, that officials of Amcu had not exercised effective control over its members and supporters in ensuring that their conduct was lawful and did not endanger the lives of others.
They had sung provocative songs and made inflammatory remarks, which had aggravated an already volatile situation, the commission found.
The commission also noted that Mathunjwa had done his best before the shootings to persuade the strikers to lay down their arms and to leave the Marikana koppie.
Forty-four people were killed in Marikana. Ten people, including two policemen and two Lonmin security guards, were killed in the week leading up to August 16 when police shot dead 34 striking miners.
ANA