By Noluthando Mkhize
Mahikeng - The Marikana tragedy that struck the Lonmin mine in Rustenburg in August last year should never happen again, says North West Premier Thandi Modise.
“We have been faced with the worst calamity since democracy last year in Marikana. The death of the police officers and mine workers has shocked the people of this province and the world at large,” said the premier during her State of the Province Address on Friday.
“We hope this situation will not repeat itself, as it is still painful. We are engaging with the mining houses to ensure this does not repeat itself,” said Modise.
President Jacob Zuma set up a Commission of Inquiry to get to the bottom of the events of that led to the loss of lives in clashes at the mine. The work of the commission is continuing.
She also called for a truce between the National Union of Mine Workers and the Association of Mine workers and Construction Union.
Violence flared up in the platinum sector, where 13 people were hurt in clashes at a mine near Rustenburg on Monday.
Government and mining stakeholders on Thursday signed a framework to help secure peace and stability in the mining sector. – SAnews.gov.za
