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DID NOT UNDERSTAND: President Jacob Zuma addresses mineworkers in Marikana, Rustenburg in North West province yesterday. PHOTO: ANTONIO MUCHAVE

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Zuma, who visited Marikana for the first time yesterday, was told that Malema was the first politician who came to listen to their cries and pain.

"Julius Malema has organised lawyers to free our brothers who are still locked up. We thought the person we voted for would have come with our brothers who have been arrested," said miner Xolani Ndzuza.

He said the "Friends of the ANCYL" have also helped the families of the deceased to lay a charge of murder against the police.

Ndzuza told Zuma and several cabinet ministers, that the government, in cahoots with Lonmin, had signed an agreement that striking workers should be killed by police.

Before he spoke, Zuma took a long look at the shells of the bullets that killed 34 workers last week.

Zuma explained why he could not visit the scene immediately after the shooting: "I was on my way to Mozambique when I heard that there is a strike but I left the conference when I heard what had happened."

He told the crowd he had received a report from police and had also gone to hospital to visit injured mine workers.

"They explained what had happened. I knew it was bad but did not understand the extent of the crisis".

Zuma told the workers he had set up a judicial commission of inquiry: "I want the truth about what happened. What happened here is unacceptable and there is no law that says people should be killed."

After listening to the workers, Zuma promised he would convey their message to their employer.

Zuma's visit comes as two more mines went on strike demanding a net salary of R12500.

National Union of Mineworkers' (Num) Lesiba Seshoka confirmed that rock drillers at Bafokeng and Anglo platinum mines downed tools yesterday.

"The situation is still under control and Num leaders in the region are engaging the workers," he said.

Some workers also blamed the Num - which they said was their union - for being part of the conspiracy to kill them.

"It does not mean that when there is disagreement between employer and workers, people should die," a worker said.

Association of Mineworkers and Construction president Joseph Mathunjwa said "workers' demand of R12500 was based on their net salary and not gross.

"Workers, after deduction, take home about R4000 and the employer can't refer them to their gross. Gross means nothing because that is not what they get into their pockets," he said. - mabuzak@sowetan.co.za

• This article was first published in the printed newspaper and eEdition on 23 August 2012. Click on this link to view the eEdition

Comments

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Wed May 22 04:55:06 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 24, 2012

Kitsoboswa

Cam someone tell us how these people earn before deductions, if this R4000 is after deduction then they have a serious problem they need to be taught money management
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Aug 24, 2012

lamolath

Good Morning

This time i think we must give credit to Malema.Government organised the memorial service and the community organise theirs as well and invited malema.at the memorial service which was organised by gorvernment no one showed up. only the government officials.and they decided to join the community on their memorial service were Malema was at.

If what he said after given a platform was true about ZUMA's trust getting money from all the mines in SA....Freedom charter.The people shall share but it seems like only the ANC bosses are sharing the wealth of this country.
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Aug 24, 2012

Papage

Do we realy respect the dead?
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Aug 24, 2012

Papage

Did it really need the death of miners to free us from Zuma, to let people enjoy economic freedom, did they have to die to let people like Ramaphosa, My President Motsepe and the like to agree to share with everyone, Did they have to die like those who died to free us from apartheid. Now the mines should be in the hands of state and miners should get better wages and salaries. Away with Labour brokers, mines should be held accountable to the well being of their workers.
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Aug 24, 2012

sgungy

The rich gets richer, the poor gets even poor thats how its been, thats how it is & that is how it will always be as long as people continue with turning a blind eye to corruption in our communities,government officials & workplaces, guys its time for voters to review if what our Government is delivering is really what we want or what he wants, change is always good guys, its now or never.
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Aug 24, 2012

Danger1985

Malema said the truth, thats its...Malema has always been saying the truth...he might be "politically irrelevant" as they say...but rest assured we need people like malema to stir us so that we question the people we put in power...Zuma sould stop using "red tape" and "beaurecratic tendencies" as a way to leat time heal..every issue we are faced with he has to set up a commision of enquiry & he appoints his "friends" they earn a lot during this time "investigating" and the nation has to suffer...wit for four months then he will come top a decison I mean really now lets be serious...and yeah that was a gud qstn do people have to die before u realise that my own kth andf kin are suffering Zuma stop killing rthis nation...the powers taht be messed up in 1994 and yes we are seeing it now more that ever...buwa Malema buwa

* May the souls of the miners who passed on Rest in Peace
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Aug 24, 2012

guiliano

He listens to your cries and pains because he is paving his way back to the anc.
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Aug 24, 2012

MUofhekona

"Mmbwa i dola Mmbwa"ndi muvhuso wa Zuma on my stoep.Hoyu munna asi president yanga and na family yanga a i vote ngauri ndi tou di shuma.vhathu pls dont vote for this asshole.Zuma,Ramaphosa etc.vhana dzi shares but they pay miners R4000.Viva R12500 Viva.
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Aug 24, 2012

GUERRILLA

they sung LIKOTA before now MALEMA.... (YILENJA uMALEMA ISIQHELA AMASIMBA IFUNA UQHIKEZA UMBUTHO WETHU, SINQANDA AMAYEYE).."this hypocritic dog MALEMA pissesOFF, wants to disperse ou civilised organisation" hahahaha what an unfortunate country being ruled illiterate leaders
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Aug 24, 2012

RobinH

People are naive if they think the slug actually listens and cares. Sure, he does listen. He listens in order to gauge what it is that inflames sentiment in people's particular cases, and stores that for use in his campaigning. But to think for one second that there is the slightest degree of empathy is just naive. His blatant opportunism and the crass fickleness he has displayed in the past should make this abundantly clear. If people cannot see this... well, they deserve a fascist faux-socialist to set them up for slaughter.
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