ANC STATEMENT ON RELEASE OF FARLAM COMMISSION REPORT

25 June 2015

Johannesburg

The President of the Republic of South Africa, Comrade Jacob Zuma, released today the report of the Marikana Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of 44 people at Marikana during the period between the 11th and 16th August 2014. The release of this report of a Judicial Commission finally brings to light the truth around this tragic incident. We further trust that it should bring our nation a step closer to healing.

The African National Congress once again sends its deepest condolences to the families of our compatriots who lost their lives at Marikana. We further send our sympathies to those who were injured. We reiterate the President’s sentiment that such incidents have no place in a democratic South Africa.

This tragedy cannot be used to further divide our country, if anything we should seek to unite our people to ensure that such never happens again. The right to peaceful strike action in South Africa is sacrosanct and we welcome the recommendations made by the Commission to strengthen the capacity of the state to discharge its duties of public order policing. We call on government to urgently implement all the recommendations of the Commission.

Statement issued by Zizi Kodwa, ANC national spokesperson, June 25 2015