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Demilitarisation welcomed but private security companies need investigation

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Demilitarisation of the police is a welcome recommendation in the long-awaited report released by the Farlam Commission into the events that led to the deaths of 44 people in August 2012 in Marikana in North West province‚ but private security companies hired by mining companies also need to be investigated‚ says the Bench Marks Foundation.

“We have highlighted the increasing militarisation of the police‚ especially in mining communities‚ for a very long time. It is truly unfortunate though that it has taken a horrendous event such as the Marikana massacre to bring this to the fore‚” says Executive Director for the Bench Marks Foundation‚ John Capel.

“It is our hope that investigation will also be made into the private security companies that are hired by mining companies‚ since much of what happened during August 2012 can be attributed to events that occurred during other strikes in the area throughout the year‚ where workers were killed by mine security.”

Capel says that the report showed Lonmin’s continuous use of rubber bullets through its security company.

“These rubber bullets were shot at the protestors during the period‚ often in contradiction to the instructions of the police as not warranting such action.

“The report shows that the violence escalated after Lonmin’s aggressive actions. Prior to this‚ strikers only bore sticks and shields but after this incident‚ they armed themselves with sharp objects‚” Capel said.

 

 

 

 

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