29 June 2015
The South African Communist Party welcomes the release by President Jacob Zuma of the Farlam `Commission of Inquiry into the Tragic Incident at or near the area commonly known as Marikana mine in Rustenburg, North West Province, South Africa`. The SACP will study the report in detail, save for placing the following matters of principle on record at this stage.
The SACP again expresses its deepest condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones, most of whom were breadwinners, before, on and after 16 August 2012. We once more also express our sincere sympathy to all the victims of violence, rape and displacement of people from their homes as well as various forms of intimidation and brutalisation.
Our experience has taught us that the families of those who lost their loved ones and the victims remain with a burden that weigh like a nightmare on their brains and in their everyday lives as they seek to move on. The violence at Marikana affected none other the working class, women and children. This went beyond the boundaries of Marikana and the borders of South Africa. Material support is therefore necessary to the families of the departed and the victims.
The SACP is looking forward to, and calls on the government to strengthen its material support to the families of the departed and the victims. However, transnational mining companies that are at the centre of the exploitation that caused the tragedy must not be left to continue expatriating billions of money in profit to overseas without any sense of responsibility towards the families, victims and the developmental imperatives of our country.
The SACP calls for the implementation of the recommendations in the report of the Farlam Commission of Inquiry. All the crimes that were committed in the Rustenburg platinum belt before, on, and after 16 August 2012 are, and MUST be, punishable by law.
The release of the report should draw the attention of our country to the dangers of a politics that seeks to sow discontent and turn the people against our democratically elected government. This agenda was given prominent media coverage during the proceedings of the Farlam Commission of Inquiry, and continues to be showered with overwhelming coverage. The imbalance in this information dissemination spread mediocre arguments and grandstanding embedded in a politics of opposition rather than the principles of the law and seeking truth from facts. Wrong impressions about what the findings of the commission would be were created, reinforced by other factors such as the childishly irresponsible drama in Parliament on these issues.
All of this have been laid bare for all who care to see.
Some sections of individuals campaigned for the report of the commission to be released, but prematurely, including through an unsuccessful court bid. But as soon as the demand was granted, the campaign fell flat on its belly. Some of them latched from demanding the immediate release of the report, to a new demand, that they should have been given more time before the report was released.
This agenda coalesces on discrediting the ANC and fermenting discontent against the ANC-led government and alliance. The end goal, rather than the plight of the families that lost their loved ones, is an attempt to dislodge democratic majority government.
These issues are reaffirming the importance to build strong organisation on the ground throughout our entire democratic movement.
The SACP will engage with Cosatu on jointly deepening the struggle against the exploitation of workers. As the SACP we are of a strong view that mining bosses must not be left off the hook for their decisions and actions that deepen exploitation and cause divisions and violent confrontations among workers.
The harsh working conditions facing workers, engineered by the bosses, are an issue that cannot be ignored and must therefore be dealt with decisively. This will go a long way in improving the quality of life of the workers and their families. Similarly, the transformation of the mining sector and the need to bring it in line with our developmental goals can no longer be postponed.
Issue by the SACP
Contact
Alex Mashilo - National Spokesperson
Mobile: 082 9200 308
Office: 011 339 3621