R330m has been paid to the families of Marikana victims

Zuko Komisa

R330m has been paid to the families of Marikana victims.

Claims relating to the Marikana tragedy have received more over R330 million in government payments.

A labor-related strike at Lonmin Mine in 2011 resulted in a tragedy when police officers in the North West town shot and killed about 34 miners.

Solicitor-General Fhedzisani Pandelani said the payments for claims have been made to claimants through their legal counsel, including the Socio Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) and the Wits Law Clinic.

Point of View with Phemelo Motene spoke to Attorney at the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI), Asenati Tukela’s about how victims of the Marikana Massacre were still waiting for justice 11 years on.

Listen to the full conversation:

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A further 10 individuals, including law enforcement officers, died in clashes prior to the disaster, injuring 78 more people.

“The Marikana incident of 16 August 2012 is a painful and significant and solemn chapter in our nation’s history. It is something that we cannot downplay because people are still impacted emotionally and it casts a sombre shadow over the tragic clash between striking miners and law enforcement, resulting in multiple fatalities.

“As a result of which, we, as government lawyers, are now seized with having to meet the lawful demands that have been lodged with us. These funds have served to address a spectrum of claims that relate to legal consideration stemming from the Marikana incident,” Pandelani said.