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On the place where skulls were cracked, bones shattered, blood flowed, and bullet-riddled bodies were slumped motionless on the ground, hundreds of miners gathered in Marikana to remember their departed colleagues.
They congregated on the fourth anniversary of what became known as the “Marikana massacre”, in which 34 striking miners were shot dead by the police on this day four years ago.
The group of Lonmin miners moved around the Marikana koppie – a mountain where striking miners gathered four years ago – singing and dancing in an emotional nod to the men who died.
One of those who miraculously survived the shower of bullets and later found himself lying among his dead colleagues was Mzoxolo Magidiwana.
He addressed his colleagues this morning, asking them “not to forget this fateful day and what it was all about, the R12 500 [salary adjustment], which we’re still fighting for”.
About 20 Lonmin mine workers were charged with the murders of two police officers, security officials and other people killed – mostly hacked to death – during the week of violent protest in August 2012.
A number of people who were seen to be against the strike and were going to work were killed, allegedly by striking miners. Two Lonmin security guards were also hacked to death and their bodies partially burnt.
Those representing the miners’ interests, including the Association
of Mineworkers and Construction Union, complained why no one has been charged
for the murders.
It was this strike that saw Amcu gained popularity in the Rustenburg platinum mines unseating the ANC-aligned National Union of Mineworkers as the majority union.
Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa addressed strikers on the koppie
shortly before the shooting started. It is his union that organises the annual
commemorations.
Miners also got sympathy from Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema, who was expected to address today’s gathering.
In the recent local government elections, Malema’s party won the ward in which the killings happened.
The mood was celebratory in Marikana ahead of the formal proceedings. Loud music blared from a concert-size stage set between a kraal where some miners were killed and the koppie. Local artists were also performing.
Amcu members from mines in Limpopo and Matlosana areas arrived in busloads to join in the ceremony.
On the sideline, entrepreneurs sold everything
from plates of food to alcohol. Miners were slowly covering the koppie braving
the sun which is directly facing the mountain.
