‘I begged for help, but all they did was shoot me again like a dog’

As the widows of four Marikana miners prayed at the trial of their husbands’ alleged police killers for justice, scores of other widows and the survivors of SA’s bloodiest post-democracy mining wage revolt are fast losing hope that they will ever get justice.

An expert in corporate social responsibility is now warning that delays in prosecutions for the August 16 2012 massacre and the killings leading up to the slaughter is turning the area into “a ticking time bomb”.

David van Wyk, lead researcher at the Bench Marks Foundation, said “virtually none” of the recommendations by judge Ian Farlam’s commission of inquiry into the massacre had been implemented, “especially on prosecutions and accommodation”.

Van Wyk said: “The threat of bloodshed is real. This place is ripe for violence. It’s just a matter of when. Living conditions are appalling. Raw sewage flows everywhere. Diseases like bilharzia are rife.”

Among those demanding accountability are the relatives of two security guards, two police officers and six miners killed at the platinum mine in the days before the massacre.

Police officers Hendrick Monene and Sello Lepaaku, and mine security officers Hassan Fundi and Frans Mabelane, were hacked and burnt to death, allegedly by strikers.

Top of the list of Marikana residents’ demands is for President Cyril Ramaphosa to meet survivors and widows. Ramaphosa’s political adviser, Bejani Chauke, said plans were in place for the meeting.

“The president held discussions earlier this year for the meeting to take place, but there were delays because of unforeseen last-minute miscommunications. Government does not want Marikana challenges, like housing, not to be attended to.”

While North West deputy police commissioner William Mpembe and five police officers were on trial last week for murders committed on August 13 2012, no-one has been prosecuted for the massacre three days later. Mpembe has been charged with the murder of Semi Jokansi and Thembelakhe Mati. He has also been charged with Monene and Lepaaku’s murders because of orders he gave. His co-accused are charged with the murder of miner Pumzile Sokhanyile.

Last week, the trial was postponed to May. This delay and the delay in the prosecution of about 12 miners charged in connection with killings and violence before the massacre have added to the anger and grief of survivors and widows.

The Farlam commission ordered the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure those responsible for the 44 murders and about 100 attempted murders were prosecuted. Neither the NPA nor the police responded to questions on prosecutions, investigations or how they had implemented the commission’s instructions.

The hostels have been converted into single quarters, but miners said these were in a poor condition and too small for the 25,000 miners who now work for Sibanye Stillwater, which took over the Lonmin mine in 2019. Most miners live in the Nkaneng informal settlement.

Anele Jokansi, whose brother, Semi Jokansi, was allegedly shot dead by Mpembe and his co-accused, said he was tired of waiting for justice.

“How much longer must it be? I want them to look at me and say sorry. It has been eight years and still we are no closer to the truth. I go to court for my family, but I doubt we will ever know what really happened.”

Since 2014, Jokansi has worked in the same mine shaft as his brother did. “What did he die for? Nothing has changed. It’s still the same shithole, with diseases and poverty. The living conditions here are terrible.”

Security officer Hassan Fundi was killed on August 12 while trying to stop miners burning down a National Union of Mineworkers building, and his widow, Aisha, told the Sunday Times: “Why is it only policemen on trial? Why have the miners who hacked and burnt Hassan to death not been arrested or sent to jail? It’s been eight years. Where is our justice?”

Mzoxolo Magidiwana, who was shot in the stomach, hips, legs and arms on August 16, said he was angry the policemen who tried to kill him were not jailed.

“Justice is a myth. I will never forget the two policemen standing over me and shooting me while I lay on the ground bleeding.

“I begged for help, but all they did was shoot me again like a dog. I want those men in jail. Knowing that the men who shot me are still free, working and living happily with their family, is killing my wife and me.”

Sibanye Stillwater spokesperson James Wellsted said “robust and constructive” engagements with unions on issues relating to commission recommendations continued to take place.

“Lonmin implemented most of the commission recommendations that were company specific.”

He said with regard to living conditions and housing, Lonmin had met its targets of converting singlesex hostels in 2014, with 1,240 apartments constructed by 2018.

Wellsted said workers who chose not to live in the hostels received living-out allowances.

“Our contribution to social development programmes in the form of schools, clinics, roads and other income-generating projects means our employees, their families and communities have facilities enabling them to access social services.

“All of the 44 families were offered employment. A trust has been created by the company to take care of the educational needs of their beneficiaries. We have commenced with the housing programme for widows, with only 16 houses still outstanding.”— Additional re

Anele Jokansi’s brother Semi was one of the miners allegedly shot dead by police on August 13 2012, three days before the Marikana massacre. He says he is tired of waiting for justice.

Pictures: Sebabatso Mosamo Now a place of peace, and for grazing goats, but eight years ago this koppie was the scene of the Marikana massacre where 34 miners were shot dead by police.

Mzoxolo Magidiwana was shot multiple times during the strike at Marikana. Seven bullets were taken from his body.

Aisha Fundi, whose husband, Hassan, was murdered by miners in the days before the massacre at Marikana in 2012.