Calls to develop mining community continue on anniversary of the Marikana massacre

JOHANNESBURG - Twelve-years after 34 miners were killed in the Marikana massacre calls to develop the mining community continue to mount.

Four others were killed when Lonmin Mineworkers were gunned down at the Koppie in Nkaneng informal settlement in 2012.

The clash with law enforcement came on the back of failed wage negotiations.

While the African National Congress (ANC) says government has made headway to ensure the enforcement of safety standards and labour rights across the mining industry community activist Napoleon Webster has complained about how the matter has been handled.

 “We are suffering a lot, entirely because politicians have become security guards. Whenever you try to raise something, they can use state resources like police to try and neutralise you. There’s also no political will from our black politicians because it’s us who are suffering.”