President Zuma must address nation on Marikana compensation

12 November 2015

This afternoon, during his oral reply session in the National Assembly, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa fell short of providing any clarity on the process of “initiating an alternative dispute resolution process to expedite the processing of all claims arising [from Marikana].” This follows President Zuma’s 29 September commitment to “achieving swift compensation.” 

The Deputy President hid behind his proximity to the issue while the Speaker allowed him to get off with a non-answer. The Deputy President merely stated that it was an ongoing process on which the President would address the nation when appropriate.

I therefore call on President Zuma to address this issue when he appears in the National Assembly on 19 November to answer oral questions. If the Deputy President will not answer the question, then it must be the responsibility of the President. The Executive cannot evade responsibility and accountability any longer.

More than three years after 44 men lost their lives in Marikana, 34 at the hands of the South African Police Service, the families of victims continue to suffer without financial support. As a result of the ANC government’s failure to act, the families of victims have been forced to resort to filing a civil claim against the Minister of Police to compel government to compensate them. This should not have been necessary.

The Democratic Alliance believes that President Zuma should do the right thing by accepting responsibility for the tragedy and setting aside money for a compensation fund in the next financial year. The President must put the families of the victims first.

Marikana left a scar on South Africa that that will not heal until justice has been done and those responsible are held to account. The DA will continue to fight for the families of victims and for fair compensation for their loss.

Statement issued by DA leader, Mmusi Maimane, 12 November 2015