Marikana: reminders of a massacre

16 August 2015 | GroundUp Staff Analysis

Memorial at the University of Cape Town for the victims of the Marikana massacre.

Three years ago on this day, the police shot dead 34 miners at Marikana. Here are some of the articles we’ve published since then that, sadly, remain current and relevant.

In total, 47 miners and police lost their lives in the violence at Marikana.

There is no sign of compensation for survivors and the families of the dead, following the findings of the Farlam Commission. Moreover, Judge Ian Farlam’s recommendations differed substantially on this point from the evidence leaders.

Housing is not a side issue in the events surrounding Marikana: the abject living conditions of the miners is at the root of discontent.

The evidence leaders found that Lonmin had broken its promises to build housing for its employees. Lonmin executives told the Marikana Commission hearings that the company had not been able to afford to keep its promise because of the 2008 financial crisis. Yet in 2007, finance of US$150 million had been made available to Lonmin by the International Finance Corporation and the company had apparently promised to use some of it to build houses. Housing is not a side issue in the events surrounding Marikana: the abject living conditions of the miners is at the root of discontent.

Photo by A. Benya taken from the evidence leaders’ heads of argument.

The evidence leaders gave an extremely critical account of how the police constructed their story, and found that Commissioner Riah Phiyega is not fit for office. She remains in office today.