AMCU President says democratic government has failed working class

Joseph Mathunjwa, President of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), asserts that the democratic government has failed South Africa's working class. Speaking at the 14th Marikana massacre commemorative event in North West, Mathunjwa highlights that thirty-four striking mineworkers were killed by police on this day in Marikana in 2012. He remains concerned that no one has faced consequences for the massacre.

This year's commemoration was disrupted by several issues, including a delayed start and an unsafe stage, prompting Mathunjwa to deliver his speech near the symbolic Koppie, where union members and supporters congregated. AMCU President Mathunjwa denounces South Africa's democracy as a "fake" system, stating that while the Freedom Charter promised shared wealth, workers received meager compensation of R5.

He criticizes the country's wealth and poor leadership, stating that decision-makers focus on their grandchildren's future while neglecting the well-being of current workers.

Miners express their dissatisfaction with living conditions, describing them as harsh and unsuitable. They note the prevalence of shacks and demand better housing for themselves and their families. Mathunjwa calls on mining companies to prioritize worker safety, urging them to address safety concerns at the Impala Platinum Mine's Rustenburg operations where underground locomotives continue to claim lives.

The union emphasizes that the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPRDA) is responsible for enforcing commitments made by mining companies, such as building schools, roads, and houses, yet these promises remain unfulfilled.

Mathunjwa stresses the urgency of holding someone accountable for the Marikana massacre, 14 years after the tragic event.