REMEMBERING THE FALLEN: Marikana massacre 14 years on — Victims’ families still await criminal accountability
More than a decade after 34 mineworkers were gunned down by police, their families are still fighting for justice and trade unions for better working conditions.
Fourteen years have passed since the Marikana Massacre, yet the families of the 34 mineworkers killed by police continue to fight for justice. The workers were demonstrating for higher wages during a wildcat strike at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana when they were gunned down by the South African Police Services (SAPS). Despite two separate killing sites, no one has been held criminally responsible for the incident.
The Farlaw Commission of Inquiry absolved key political figures, but recommended investigation into the massacre. Nine police officers were charged and acquitted. Trade unions urge mining companies to address the lack of justice for the families and better working conditions for miners. The Socio-Economic Rights Institute represented 34 of the 36 families and noted that civil settlements do not replace criminal accountability, as they do not provide families with the truth or prevent future incidents.
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