Marikana may cost you R1bn
THE government is trying to reach an agreement with the families of the victims of Marikana after it was sued for R1.1 billion for the killing of 34 miners.
Police Minister Nathi Nhleko told Parliament yesterday they were close to sealing a deal with most of the families after they agreed in principle on the compensation.
However, Nhleko would not reveal the amounts involved, saying discussions with families were still ongoing.
Nhleko said the families had sued the government for R1.1bn for killing their loved ones in August 2012 but the government had proposed a settlement with them.
The minister, who was briefing the portfolio committee on police, said a deal was imminent with the families of the victims.
The lawyers from both sides were tying up the loose ends, he said.
“The finalisation of compensation for the next of kin, we have a litigation process as we speak.
‘‘As for when we finalise it will be determined by the legal team from our side and the side of the victims,” he told MPs.
He said some of the families were ready for a settlement.
He said the sooner the deal was concluded the better for all the parties.
Nhleko said it could not be determined how soon the matter would be concluded. “Legal matters can take on a life of their own. You can say as an organisation or institution this week this is what we will do. But because of legal (issues) you will find it is no longer a week,” he said.
He said they would have to attend to the claims against the government on Marikana. But the discussions would have to be concluded and a settlement reached with all parties despite most of the families being on board now.
Acting deputy director-general in the department Brigadier Nashee Sewpersadh also told MPs they were expecting to finalise the discussions soon.
She said some of the families had agreed in principle on the compensation. They agreed the process of claims would have to be expedited.
She said the legal team from the State has made offers to the families on February 22.
The discussions had not been finalised, Sewpersadh said. She said the State covered costs for counselling to families of the miners who died in Marikana. But she did not specify the costs involved.
ANC MP Leonard Ramatlakane said the police service had to have clear deadlines on when it would fully implement all the recommendations of the Farlam Commission into Marikana.
He said this would enable the police and the country to know of the work that had been covered in the past few years.
Phillip Mhlongo of the EFF said Marikana needed a project management system that would address all the issues that happened there five years ago. “The duration for that panel is 18 months, if you look at the outlook you are looking at that period.”
‘Finalisation of compensation for the next of kin, we have a litigation process’