North West Premier Thandi Modise has expressed a concern that the Marikana Peace Accord signed earlier this year has been completely disregarded by perpetrators of violence in and around Marikana.
Modise’s concern comes amid confirmation that another union leader has been killed in the area. Former National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) shop steward Percy Letanang reportedly died in hospital last-night after being shot seven times at the weekend.
According to police the shooting incident took place on Sunday evening at his home in Segwaelane outside Marikana.
“It is clear that our repeated pleas for people involved to resort to peaceful means to deal with their problems have fallen on deaf ears. The heartless instigators of these barbaric and senseless killings who have no regard for human lives are hell bent in unleashing a campaign of terror in our mining communities and need to be unmasked to face the wrath of the law,” said Premier Modise in condemning the killing.
The Premier said that she will ask police to brief her on their investigation into the ongoing violence.
“As we convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, we also want to assure them that we will not rest until the culprits are arrested and brought to book. We have had enough of these despicable and heinous acts and call on law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to curb the killing spree and for those who are on the receiving end of the violence not to be provoked to violence and retaliation,” stressed Modise.
Several people have been killed in the area in a suspected rivalry between labour unions. Modise said the provincial government has intensified efforts to engage all sectors of society including community leaders, inter-faith denominations, traditional authorities to build social cohesion and curb the scourge of violence and other social ills in the province.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Cell: 083 629 1987
Tel: 018 388 3705
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
