Justice the real need

THE shooting of NUM branch leader Dalivuyo Bongo at a time when he was set to testify before the Marikana Commission is reminiscent of the Mafia-style elimination of witnesses to obstruct and derail justice.

Bongo was shot over the weekend at his home in Marikana. It is not clear whether his death can be linked to the ongoing mine rivalry in Lonmin between NUM and Amcu.

Before he was shot Bongo was part of the commission's in loco inspection as the chairman, retired judge Ian Farlam, and fellow commissioners inspected the infamous hill where 34miners were shot dead on that fateful day of August 16.

As part of NUM's leadership during the protracted Marikana strikes, Bongo was obviously one of the most integral witnesses. His testimony and that of fellow NUM and Amcu shop stewards was expected to shed light on the events that led to the miner's deaths.

NUM spokesman Lesiba Seshoka described the unionist's death as an assassination. He lamented the trend of killing unionists linked to the Marikana strike, adding that another NUM leader was attacked two weeks ago at his home and the assailants killed his wife.

According to Seshoka seven NUM members, two of them shop stewards, have been murdered in Marikana.

Bongo's killers are still out there.

Whoever killed him meant to sow fear in the hearts of potential witnesses who are integral to the commission's work to piece together the events that led to Lonmin's protest escalating to a national tragedy.

Whoever killed Bongo is trying to compromise the commission's investigations.

What exacerbates the situation is that so far no significant progress has been made to solve the death of the other 10security guards and shop stewards that occurred before the Marikana massacre. This sends the wrong message that killers are roaming freely in Marikana, mowing down people with impunity - this has to stop.

While we commend the commission's prompt response to Bongo's death by announcing that witnesses who come forward would be placed in a witness protection programme, the apprehension and arrest of the despicable murderers will go a long way to rebuilding confidence that Judge Farlam's work to get to the bottom of what happened in Marikana will co ntinue unhindered.

Nailing the criminals is vital to restoring calm in Marikana. The commission must ensure the victims of Marikana get the justice they deserve.