NFP leader calls for MPs to contribute to Marikana victims fund
“As we remember the catastrophe that devastated us all in the country on this fateful day where dozens of miners and police officers tragically lost their lives during a living wage protest in Marikana, in the North West province, I wish to urge the entire nation to vow that what happened on this day three years ago shall never be repeated,” she said in a statement.
While she believed it was “unAfrican to open up wounds by reminiscing a calamity of this nature”, the victims should not be remembered for only one day.
“It is for this reason that I call on all Members of Parliament (MP’s) and Members of Provincial Legislatures (MPL’s) in all our nine provinces to contribute one percent of their salaries to the well-being of Marikana victims.”
As Africans, everyone was aware that a worker did not financially look after his/her own immediate family only, but also the extended family.
“So it is my belief that some of the miners who lost their lives during the massacre left behind several people without food as they were brothers, uncles, fathers, and grandfathers to someone.
“It is for this reason that I urge all MP’s and MPL’s to contribute at least one percent of their salaries.
“It’s now time for us to stop pointing fingers and blaming one another about what happened but make a meaningful contribution that can ease the burden to those directly and indirectly affected,” she said.
In August 2012, mineworkers at Lonmin’s platinum mine at Marikana went on a wildcat strike demanding a minimum salary of R12,500 a month.
They rejected the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), and camped on top of a koppie (hill) near Nkaneng informal settlement demanding that Lonmin officials negotiate with them at the koppie.
The strike turned violent and 34 people, mostly mineworkers, died in a clash with police on August 16, 2012. The police were apparently attempting to disarm and disperse them.
Ten other people, including two policemen and two Lonmin security guards, were killed in the preceding week.
ANA