This disclosure was made in a written response to a parliamentary question posed by EFF leader Julius Malema, who pressed the Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa on the status of reparations and support for those impacted by the Marikana Massacre of 16 August 2012. 

In his inquiry, Malema sought clarity on the concrete actions the government has taken to provide social, economic, and psychological support to the affected families since Ramaphosa assumed the presidency on 15 February 2018. The massacre, which occurred during a wildcat strike at the Lonmin platinum mine in North West, claimed the lives of 34 mine workers, many of whom were breadwinners for their families.

In his official reply, Ramaphosa stated most of the compensation claims submitted by affected families had been settled by the state.

“All the claims that are justifiable in law have been settled except for affected individuals or beneficiaries who cannot be traced or identified.”

He confirmed R330 million has been disbursed so far, specifically for the support of widows, children, and other family members of those killed in the tragedy. However, some claims remain unresolved, particularly those involving constitutional damages.

“There are some other claims, including for constitutional damages, that have not been settled. These require adjudication and case management through the courts. 

The matters in which constitutional damages are claimed are being case-managed by the Deputy Judge President AP Ledwaba of the Gauteng division of the High Court. Once this process is done, a date of hearing will be allocated and the matters will be heard.”

“Ramaphosa also said that over the past few years, various efforts had been made to engage directly with the widows, survivors, and the broader Marikana community.

National and international criticism

“These efforts have, for various reasons, not yet resulted in such meetings,” he acknowledged.

The government’s response to the Marikana tragedy has long been a source of national and international criticism. In 2017, Ramaphosa, then a former Lonmin non-executive director, was barred from attending the massacre’s five-year commemoration. 

He had faced sharp criticism for his role during the 2012 crisis, particularly for calling for “concomitant action” against the striking workers before the police shooting.

Political analyst, Prof. Sethulego Matebesi of the University of the Free State, noted that the state had missed an opportunity to take leadership in resolving the aftermath of the massacre. He said the government could have played a leading role in the mediation of the 2012 Marikana Massacre. 

Instead, it delayed intervention, allowing political parties and civil movements to dominate the response.

 OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh