THE LONMIN MASSACRE (S.A 2012)

The Lonmin massacre!



http://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/ 22/08/12



South Africa, once again was home to another gruelling week or so of ‘labour force’ demonstration. This time workers from Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana, North West Province, embarked on what was another wage dispute-protest (which the country has had a countless number of, lately).

During a week of protest action by these mineworkers, a number of attacks were reported, with some of the workers killed – allegedly because they refused to join the protest; security and police officers were also reportedly killed and others wounded by these heavily armed protestors. Two police officers who responded to the call to visit the area of protest action, were attacked, killed and disarmed by the protestors, and more police units were deployed to manage the scene.

Another growing allegation, was the unions, AMCU (Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union) and NUM (the National Union of Mineworkers), it was alleged that these two unions were engaged in a bitter battle for membership. NUM accused AMCU (which is a relatively new union ‘on the block’) of stealing members from them, and AMCU saying that NUM has failed its own members – and that a NUM steward allegedly shot at its own members, hence they were angry with them.

The NUM spokesperson, Lesiba Seshoka said “they are considering initiating a lawsuit against AMKU for the alleged killing of NUM members and the death threats and violence preceding the killings”. Jeff Mphahlele, AMCU general secretary, counter accused the NUM for having killed AMCU’s own members.

Calls were made for the protesting workers to capitulate and go back to work, as well as pleas by the police, for the protestors to give up their weapons and peacefully break-up, all to no avail.

Drama broke out when the protestors, allegedly charged at police, resulting in them responding with the use of ‘maximum force’, shooting towards the crowd using live rounds of ammunition – killing 34 protestors and wounding over 70. This happened on a Thursday evening, on 16 August 2012.

State president, Jacob Zuma hurriedly asked to be excused from a summit taking place in Namibia, Which included SADC delegations talking, among other things, about the ‘unity government in Zimbabwe’ – Zuma as the facilitator of this deal in Zimbabwe.

New police commissioner, General Riah Phiyega was also among the delegation to visit the scene soon after reports of the ‘massacre!

This incidence was reportedly making international news, and Public rebuke of the incidence was heard from various stakeholders holding public office, and private organisations and also the citizens of the country.  Among most of the sentiments voiced, is the police’s handling of the matter, some even likening it to the incidences prior the democratic South Africa (1994). Others argue that this clearly shows that our police aren’t properly trained to handle such situations, and are quick to apply the use of ‘maximum force’ without having exhausted all other means effectively.

Whatever is said I personally agree with such perceptions about the country’s police and I rate this the most violent and belligerent industrial action post 1994 ever!