Marikana massacre 12 years on: Victims await compensation

JOHANNESBURG - Twelve years after the Marikana massacre, the Socio-Econmic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) says more than 100 families are yet to be compensated for their loss.
 
On August 16, 2012, 34 miners were killed during a violent wage strike by workers at the Lonmin mine.

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Scores of workers were demanding higher wages when they clashed with police, who later opened fire with live rounds.
 
More than R350 million has been paid to survivors and the families of the victims.
 
The government says each case has been assessed individually to ensure that compensation aligns with legal frameworks and court directives.
 
It says it has resolved most aspects of the Marikana matter, apart from constitutional damages.
 
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Thembi Simelane says consultations are continuing.

But SERI's advocacy officer - Edward Molopi - says the government has taken the matter lightly.
 
"There is of course financial compensation that the families have claimed that the State is still refusing to pay, like Constitutional damages.”
 
Other community leaders have blamed a lack of political will in addressing challenges in the mining sector.