Government abandoned Marikana miners' families: Opposition

The 37 miners who died at Marikana in August 2012 had left behind more than 300 people who this week were forced to approach the courts for compensation‚ Parliament heard on Thursday.

A National Assembly debate held to mark the third anniversary of the tragedy saw members of the opposition call for compensation for the families‚ political accountability and the head of police commissioner Riah Phiyega.

Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane said President Jacob Zuma had “passed the buck” on compensation for the families of mine workers‚ who had been forced to approach the courts for retribution this week.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema said that Marikana was not a political football and the EFF had always been most concerned about the people of Marikana.

“Even before there was an EFF we were in Marikana‚” he said.

He used his speech to accuse the government of the “premeditated murder” of miners at Marikana on August 16 2012.

Deputy Mineral Resources Mister Godfrey Oliphant‚ however‚ said this was an attempt to paint the government in bad light and that government paid out compensation and benefits “every day” to 104‚000 widows and orphans of mine workers and former mine workers.