SACP STATEMENT ON THE COMMEMORATION OF 16 AUGUST 2012
Tomorrow, Friday 16 August 2013, will mark the first year since the tragic and regrettable loss of life of mineworkers in Marikana. The SACP takes this opportunity once more to extend words of comfort to those who lost their loved ones on that fateful day and days preceding the 16th of August 2012 and subsequent days.
The SACP is deeply concerned that a year later, the work of the commission that was set up to get to the bottom of what caused the situation has not concluded its work. We call for the speedy conclusion of the work of the commission. The SACP hopes that the commission will also attend tothe broader systemic, underlying issues around the mining areas and the mining industry.
The SACP is also extremely worried by the narrow interests of legal practitioners that seem to be stalling progress in so far as the work of the commission is concerned. The Commission has unfortunately become a lawyers' commission than an enquiry into the death of mineworkers and the situation and conditions under which moneworkers live and work.
The SACP notes that the situation in Marikana and in mining generally remains still very tense. Killings of people associated with the NUM continue unabated. We call on law enforcement agencies to act with decisiveness in stopping the ongoing violence and killings. We further call on the police to arrest known suspects who still walk freely, yet they are suspected of having committed murder. Our courts must also be seen to be prioritizing the cases of those who have already been arrested so that they can face the full might of the law and consequences of their actions.
The SACP calls on the workers to remain true and steadfast in their support and membership of the NUM, the only truly revolutionary union in the sector that will advance their interests and aspirations. Workers must not allow themselves to be sweet-talked by vigilante groups who are propped up by the bosses masquerading as unions. Worker unity must never be compromised.
These vigilante groupings are not committed to a peaceful co-existence, and that is why they cannot even do a decent thingh like putting their signatures on a peace agreement. What kind of workers shoot and kill other workers merely because they do not want to be in your union?
The best way to honour all those who have perished in and around Marikana is stronger NUM organisation.
Statement issued by the SACP, August 15 2013
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