EFF, DA, UDM, Amcu, Lonmin miners attend remembrance
AUGUST 16 must become a public holiday, EFF leader Julius Malema has said. “August 16 must be celebrated as a public holiday throughout the world and not only in Marikana.
“The workers must not go to work, but should celebrate here in Marikana,” Malema said. Last year he said the EFF had pledged to give the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) R1 million to build houses for families of slain Marikana mineworkers.
“We promised to give Amcu R1m, we did exactly that and we are still going to contribute more. Amcu must know they have an ally in the EFF. If you want anything raised in Parliament, come to us,” he said.
Malema was warmly welcomed in Marikana, the crowd chanting “Juju, Juju!” when he walked on to the stage, led by North West provincial chairperson of the EFF Betty Diale, while EFF national chairperson Dali Mpofu followed.
Malema’s arrival interrupted a pastor who was opening the proceedings with a reading from the scriptures.
“Allow me to finish, he (Malema) will address you,” a Pastor Twala said as the crowd’s chanting of “Juju, Juju” drowned him out.
The crowd then went into raptures when Malema was formally introduced.
Other political leaders present were Mmusi Maimane of the DA and Bantu Holomisa of the UDM. Lonmin chief executive Ben Magara was also present.
At least 44 people were killed during a violent wage strike at Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana near Rustenburg in North West. About 28 000 Lonmin mineworkers went on a wildcat strike demanding to be paid a minimum basic salary of R12 500 per month.
The workers rejected the National Union of Mineworkers and elected to be represented by a workers’ committee. They spent days on top of a koppie at Nkaneng informal settlement, refused to come down and demanded that the employer come to negotiate with them at the koppie.
On August 16, 2012, 34 mineworkers were shot dead by police.
Ten people, including two policemen and two Lonmin security guards, were