The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Marikana tragedy continues to maintain presence in Marikana and surrounding areas on Friday, 24 August 2012. The committee has today engaged several stakeholders including families who will bury the deceased loved ones this weekend.
The committee is pleased with progress made by different spheres of government in providing all the support and assistance to the bereaved families.
Progress made thus far includes;
- All 44 people who died have been identified. Five (5) were found to be foreign nationals, four (4) from Lesotho and one (1) from Swaziland.
- All 44 post-mortems have been concluded. The post-mortems were conducted by state pathologists and verified by independent private pathologists.
- Death certificates are being issued and thus far 30 have already been issued to families.
- Government is providing support and continues to make contributions to all bereaved families towards burials.
- Minister of Labour, Ms Mildred Olifant today met with union representatives to stabilise the situation and find an amicable solution to the labour dispute.
- 20 social workers are stationed at the mine hospital, mortuary and Marikana to provide psycho-social support (counselling for trauma and bereavement).
- The social workers are also providing support at the bereaved family homesteads.
- Government continues to provide transport, accommodation, alternative care if needed especially for the children.
The funerals for the deceased will take place on different dates, as decided by the bereaved families, from this weekend until the 8th of September 2012. Thus far, six out of the 44 have been buried.
Government will contribute towards funeral arrangements and any other needs the families may require regardless of any other contributions by stakeholders. All services will be provided to all the families of the 44 deceased, including the foreign nationals.
This weekend three (3) funerals will take place with one in Wonderkop in Markina, North West and two in the Eastern Cape.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee has been based in Marikana and surrounding areas since Monday. The committee has met with stakeholders such as religious and traditional leaders in an effort to work together in the process of healing and providing assistance to the bereaved families and the injured.
The committee also met with Lonmin Mine management, unions and the mine workers to pledge government support. President Jacob Zuma also visited the miners on Wednesday to hear their plight as well as offer condolences of behalf of government and the people of South Africa.
Government urges all stakeholders to show support to the bereaved families and communities as they continue their journey of healing.
Enquiries:
Harold Maloka
Cell: 082 847 9799
E-mail: maloka.harold@gmail.com
Issued by: The Inter-Ministerial Committee
