Living conditions in Marikana an assault on human dignity

8 April 2015

Note to editors: The following remarks were made today by the DA's Shadow Minister of Human Settlements, Makashule Gana MP, following an oversight tour of Marikana's informal settlements and hostels. 

Today I have witnessed what may be called an assault on human dignity in Marikana's informal settlements and mining hostels. 

The residents I spoke to told me they are losing their patience with empty promises. They shared with me the many trials and tribulations they face on a daily basis. 

From our discussions with residents it appears that many of the hostels are in a poor condition and many dorms are still to be converted to family units as promised by the Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, in conjunction with Lonmin Platinum Mining Company. This is to ensure mine labourers and their families are assisted with decent housing. While there have been some improvements, delivery remains slow.

In the Enkaneng informal settlement nothing has changed since our last visit to the community in 2013. According to residents the water supply is unreliable and on many occasions water from their taps is brown in colour. The only change has been the installation of temporary toilets in the community. 

Roads are muddy and sewage has been flowing through the streets, posing a major health risk for both adults and children. 

Three years ago, in October 2012, President Jacob Zuma promised the residents of Marikana better living conditions. He announced his Special Presidential Package following the massacre of 34 innocent mine labourers by police in August 2012.

In his State of the Nation address last year, President Zuma committed himself to push for the implementation of the Framework Agreement for a Sustainable Mining Industry, with the Presidency taking over this process.

Part of this agreement is to build housing and deliver services to revitalise mining towns.

However, from what I witnessed today, the conditions of the hostels and informal settlements are nothing short of deplorable. 

According to a report tabled in Parliament by the Department last month, of the 19 projects planned only four were underway in Rustenburg Local Municipality's 24 informal settlements last year.

As of January 2015, 612 planned sites and units were still outstanding and of the R128 million allocated by the Department of Human Settlements, only 28% of these funds were spent.

I will write to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Nocawe Mafu, to request that she summon Minister Sisulu along with the North West MEC, Collen Maine, to table the inter-ministerial task team's report on progress in Marikana. 

We want to assess the promises made that were not delivered in terms of the Special Presidential Package for Distressed Mining Communities.

The DA will continue to do everything possible to hold the executive to account and to ensure the residents of Marikana receive the quality basic services and dignified human settlements they deserve. 

Statement issued by Makashule Gana MP, DA Shadow Minister of Human Settlements, April 8 2015

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