Pretoria - Government is exploring a swift alternative dispute resolution process which will see the victims of the Marikana tragedy being compensated, the President Zuma announced on Tuesday.
The process will be led by a judge and assisted by experts in order to reinforce its independence.
“Government is exploring initiating an alternative dispute resolution process to expedite the processing of all claims arising from the tragic incidents of August 2012,” President Zuma said in statement.
He hoped that the aim of achieving swift compensation for bona fide claims will be shared by all who genuinely seek to assist those who have suffered.
Government, President Zuma said, will engage with the legal representatives of claimants and encourage them to use this process.
“To the extent that some do not lend their co-operation, or it is not possible to resolve claims through mediation, government will seek to do so through the court process.”
Last month, the arrested and wounded miners as well as the widows of the deceased miners launched a billion rand civil claim suit against government.
President Zuma said government is also still considering the recommendations by the Marikana Commission of Inquiry.
The inquiry had investigated the deaths of 44 people during strike-related violence at Marikana in August 2012.
Its final report was handed to President Zuma on March 31, who then released it to the public in June.
Government, he said, has meanwhile instituted steps under Judge Cornelis Johannes Classen, who is being assisted by two advocates, to investigate matters relating to the position of the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Riah Phiyega.
“Both processes are continuing, and are unaffected by what I have to announce today,” President Zuma said, adding that government wishes to move forward to address the consequences of the incidents at Marikana.
These incidents include not only the deaths and injuries of striking miners, but the deaths of other miners, security officials and police officers, he said.
“What happened at Marikana hurt the whole nation and the time has come for healing to begin.” - SAnews.gov.za
