'No government spills blood of black people'

Lonmin mineworkers and survivors of the August 16 2012 Marikana massacre have called for the infamous koppie, where 34 miners were shot and killed by heavily armed police, to be turned into a memorial site.

This call was made at a commemoration day gathering yesterday. Andile Masangwana and Andile Nondonga, who were among hundreds of workers demonstrating that day, said the koppie should be respected.

"I was here on that day and am fortunate I was not injured when my comrades were killed," said Masangwana. In 2012 Lonmin mineworkers went on strike in demand of an increase in their basic salaries to R12,500. Before the massacre 10 people had been killed in clashes at the mine, including two mine security members and two police officers.

"Today there is some change in our salaries, thanks to the [Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union].

"We will continue to send condolences to the families of victims about what had happened and they must know that we are always with them. We will never abandon them," said Masangwana.

Many workers claim they are yet to receive the R12,500 monthly salary they fought for and have vowed to strike again. Survivor Muziwoxolo Mgidwana, who was shot eight times by police on that day, said he appreciated those who supported them through the strike while the government had treated them ''like animals, killing workers''.

"There is no apology from the government for what they did to workers. No policeman has been arrested for what they did. It is sad that we lost many people and some are disabled, like myself. They must compensate us for what they did."

Opposition party leaders at the commemoration ceremony were also critical of the government.

"No government spills the blood of black people and nothing is done. The government of the day will be removed soon, as [has] the apartheid regime, for the brutal mass murder of workers in Marikana," said the EFF's spokesman, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. "Those who presided over the massacre still hold high office, and there has been no accountability or reckoning," said DA leader Mmusi Maimane.

Amcu yesterday launched a trust fund for orphans and victims of the massacre to which EFF leader Julius Malema has pledged R1-million and Amcu R2-million.

Maimane, on behalf of the DA, and UDM leader Bantu Holomisa, each pledged R50,000.

Amcu's president, Joseph Mathunjwa, called for the Workers' Day holiday to be shifted to August 16 to honour and remember those massacred at Marikana.

- Additional reporting TMG Digital