Pretoria - Minister of Police Nkosinathi Nhleko believes the court action filed by the families of the 37 mineworkers who were killed in the 2012 Marikana tragedy is one of the actions that could bring closure to the sad chapter in the history of the country.
Represented by the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), Wits Law Clinic and the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of SA (SERI), the families have filed civil claims against the Minister in the High Court in Pretoria, on Tuesday.
The families are claiming compensation for loss of income, grief and emotional shock as well as medical expenses. They also want a formal apology from the police.
This comes ahead of the third anniversary of the killings at the platinum mine in the North West province, on Sunday.
“We are on record as saying that what happened in Marikana shouldn’t have happened. President Zuma, in recognition of the gravity of the situation, appointed the Farlam Commission which has made its recommendations that we are already in the process of implementing,” said the Minister in a statement on Wednesday.
While he had not yet seen the court papers, he said further engagements were needed to bring about closure to the hurt, humiliation and sorrow of the people over this matter.
“We have certainly learnt many lessons out of this tragedy. We welcome the areas that have been flagged by the commission which are issues of institutional reform and transformation,” Minister Nhleko said.
The Minister said he would welcome a process whereby different departments and other stakeholders were to work together to make good on any decision by the courts.
“We have a duty to collaborate and assist in the reconstruction of communities where the Marikana workers come from. This tragedy compels us to give real meaning and expression to the concept of working together to do more,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za
