Johannesburg -
The mothers, wives and children who lost loved ones in the Marikana mine killings were suffering the most, Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane said on Thursday.
“Let us not forget that somewhere in this country, a wife will not be called by (that) name again... but will be referred to as a widow.”
Mokonyane was speaking at the Gauteng memorial service in Johannesburg for 44 people killed in violent protests at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana a week ago.
She said families' situations had worsened because the “meagre” miners' salaries they had depended on were gone.
“Let us give them comfort and support as they need us the most.”
Society treated widows in a different and negative manner. Widows were now forced to wear clothes they were not used to and to sit at the back of a taxi just because their husbands had died, she said.
“Let us take a moment to feel the pain that these mothers, women and children are going through during this difficult period.”
Also present at the service were religious leaders, ANC chief whip Mathole Motshekga, Congress of SA Trade Unions president Sdumo Dlamini, secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi, National Union of Mineworkers president Senzeni Zokwana, secretary general Frans Baleni and City of Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau.
Police opened fire on striking workers last Thursday, killing 34 and wounding 78. Ten people, including two police officers and two security guards, were killed the preceding week in violent protests. - Sapa