Use of military in Marikana evictions would do more harm than good: DA
The Democratic Alliance warned on Wednesday that if the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is used to assist in evicting people who illegally occupied RDP houses in Marikana Ext 2 it would do more harm than good. It said that reports on Wednesday alleging that the North West Provincial government and the department of Human Settlements had placed the SANDF on standby to assist with the evictions should be of concern to all.Southern Africa’s retrenched miners face a future without health care“Using the military to resolve a Human Settlements matter will do more harm than good in Marikana‚ especially given the history of the area‚” said DA spokesman on human settlements Makashule Gana.Lonmin mine workers run amok, hijack RDP houses in MarikanaHe said the situation in Marikana had been worsened by an ineffectual provincial government that has failed to provide leadership with respect to the Marikana Housing Development Project.“We have been calling on the department to publish the names of the intended beneficiaries for over a year now.” Gana said the DA held that the military should only be deployed within the counry’s borders in exceptional circumstances and as an auxiliary to the South African Police Service (SAPS).“As such I will be writing to President Jacob Zuma to brief Parliament in terms of section 203(1) of the Constitution by which the President is bound. “It is our belief that the court order obtained by the provincial department can be enforced without involving the army. We don't want to see another bloodshed in Marikana. Trained public order Police should be sourced to calm the situation in Marikana and help with the peaceful and incident free evictions. “Before the eviction process can be taken forward‚ the province must make the list of approved beneficiaries public for both the BNG and rental units.“South Africa can ill-afford the risk of another Marikana and Parliament is constitutionally enjoined to demand answers in this regard‚” Gana added. Marikana‚ situated near Rustenburg‚ was the scene of a massacre on August 16 2012 when police opened fire on striking mineworkers‚ killing 34 and wounding 78 others...
There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.
From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.
For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.
Already subscribed? Sign in below.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.