Round-table will aim to resolve Marikana claims

08 December 2015 - 17:38 By Genevieve Quintal
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Impoverished Lonmin mineworkers demand higher wages, just days before police would open fire on them at Marikana. File photo.
Impoverished Lonmin mineworkers demand higher wages, just days before police would open fire on them at Marikana. File photo.
Image: ALON SKUY

Government lawyers will invite legal representatives of all claimants involved in the Marikana civil claim to a round-table discussion, the presidency said on Tuesday.

"The meeting will be aimed at discussing the process to resolve the claims in a manner which is transparent, effective and expeditious," spokesperson Bongani Majola said in a statement.

The meeting is to take place before January 29.

"Unfortunately, the court processes are dictated by time limits.

"Whilst government is considering these claims and the proposed process, both parties have continued to file the necessary court pleadings to ensure compliance with the court rules," Majola said.

In October, the presidency said government was still preparing for the alternative dispute resolution process planned to address the consequences of the Marikana shooting.

President Jacob Zuma announced that government was looking at starting the process to expedite all claims arising from the Marikana shooting. He said a judge, assisted by experts, would lead the process.

At the time, the presidency said government was still considering the recommendations made by the Farlam Commission of Inquiry, which investigated the deaths of 44 people - 34 of whom were killed by police - during strike-related violence at Marikana in August 2012.

The final report was handed to Zuma on March 31, who then released it to the public on June 25.

In the meantime, a board of inquiry, chaired by Judge Cornelis Johannes Claassen, was appointed to look into allegations of misconduct against national police commissioner Riah Phiyega.

Advocates Bernard Sakhile Khuzwayo and Anusha Rawjee would join Claassen on the board of inquiry.

Phiyega has been suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry.

Source: News 24

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