MINE MASSACRE: ANC ANNOUNCE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY
ANC statement on the President`s decision to establishment a commission of enquiry
18 August 2012
The African National Congress welcomes the decision of President Zuma to set up a Commission of Enquiry following the death of 34 people at Marikana in Rustenburg. The ANC is of the view that the tragic violence needs to be thoroughly investigated to determine the cause and circumstances of all the deaths including those of police, security and the miners. Once this inquiry is completed it must be followed by stern action to ensure that justice is carried out.
We also want to reiterate the call for calm and for everybody affected to give this process a chance. It is through cooperation that we will re-establish peace and solutions to the unfortunate saga. We also call on the community and all unions not to allow themselves to be agitated and instigated by agent provocateurs who won`t give peace a chance. We should not allow a repeat of this tragedy. A lot of blood has been spilled and many lives lost. In mourning those departed let us do so with dignity.
Issued by:
Jackson Mthembu
ANC National Spokesperson
African National Congress
Enquiries
Keith Khoza 0828239672
The deaths in Marikana mines
16 August 2012
The African National Congress is shocked and saddened at the killings that resulted from the labour dispute in the Lonmin mines in Marikana.
It is the view of the ANC that these deaths could have been avoided had the trade union operating at Lonmins and Lonmin mine management found a resolution to the dispute. Even at this late stage where blood has been spilled and lives lost, we call upon the union involved and the employer at Lonmin mines to find a last resolution at this stage. If all parties involved in the dispute had used all legislative avenues available within the realm of the labour markets this could have been averted.
The resurgence of violence and resultant deaths and injuries, following a lull at the initial stages of this dispute, are regrettable and have stained what has been a healthy climate in our labour relations since the dawn of democracy. The stand-off that characterized the unwillingness of all parties could have been avoided if all parties had acted in good faith and in respect of our laws.
We call on our government to undertake an inquiry to investigate this ugly violence with the intention to establish what caused it and to act on the findings. We convey our condolences to all the families that lost their loved ones and wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured and hospitalized. Whilst we respect the rights of any worker and union to engage in an industrial action, we reiterate our belief that violence in any industrial action cannot and doesn`t strengthen the hand of the striking union or workers, on the contrary it weakens any trade union and makes it to lose respect and sympathy of the general populace in our country.
Issued by:
Jackson Mthembu
ANC National Spokesperson
African National Congress
54 Sauer Street
Johannesburg
2001
Enquiries
Keith Khoza 0828239672
Ishmael Mnisi 0823335550
ANC condemns Lonmin Mine attacks
15 August 2012
The African National Congress (ANC) condemns the recent spate of violent protest at the Lonmin Platinum mine at Marikana in Rustenburg, between the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU, which led to the killing of ten (10) mine workers.
The ANC respect the workers’ constitutional right to protest, but we disapprove the killing of innocent people associated to any of the unions.
We convey our heartfelt condolences to the families of the 10 people killed during the protest. Their death is not only a loss to their families, but also a loss to the entire nation. We also wish the wounded workers a speedy recovery.
We are pleased that NUM, AMCU and Lonmin Platinum Mine management have agreed to meet to resolve the apparent debacle between them, and hope that an amicable solution will be arrived at quickly.
The ANC commends the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for their swift intervention and the deployment of about three thousand (3000) heavily armed police personnel in and around the mine precinct. The police presence has indeed suppressed tensions, and we are thrilled that calm has been restored. We call upon the police to make sure that the culprits responsible for the murders are arrested.
Issued by:
Jackson Mthembu
ANC National Spokesperson
African National Congress
54 Sauer Street
Johannesburg
2001
Enquiries:
Ishmael Mnisi 0823335550
Keith Khoza 0828239672
SEE >> ANCYL STATEMENT ON THE LONMIN MARIKANA MINE MASSACRE
