Markiana, Rustenburg - The Association of Mineworkers and Construction (Amcu) is commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Marikana tragedy when 34 striking mineworkers were shot dead by police, at a time when other mineworkers are facing criminal cases in the North West High Court relating to the upheaval in the platinum mining belt in 2012.
Eighteen mineworkers, charged with the murder of ten people in Marikana near Rustenburg in North West during a violent strike at Lonmin mine five years ago, made a brief appearance in the North West High Court sitting in Rustenburg on July 31.
The case was postponed to October 13 for their legal representation to file an application to the National Director of Public Prosecution, Advocate Shaun Abrahams, to review his decision not to withdraw the charges against the mineworkers. Abrahams had previously refused to withdraw charges.
Anele Zonke, Xolani Nzuzu, Mzoxolo Magidiwana and 15 others are facing charges of murder, robbery, malicious damage to property and unlawful possession of firearm.
The charges relate to the murder of 10 people, preceding August 16 2012, the day on which 34 mineworkers were killed by the police during a wildcat strike at Lonmin platinum mine operations in Marikana.
Two Lonmin security guards, Frans Mabelane and Hassan Fundi, were hacked and burnt to death, when they tried to stop mine workers from marching to the offices of the National Union of Mineworkers on August 12 2012.
Two policemen, Tsietsi Monene and Sello Lepaaku, were shot and hacked to death with a panga a day later, on August 13.
Thapelo Eric Mabebe, a Lonmin employee, was killed at the K4 shaft on August 12. He was hacked and he was found lying between burning cars.
Julius Langa was found on August 13 with multiple stab wounds, while Isaiah Twala was found on August 14 behind the koppie, where mineworkers camped. He had multiple stab wounds.
Three other striking mineworkers were killed by police on 13 August as Marikana was engulfed in an orgy of violence.
Nineteen mineworkers were initially arrested, but accused No 10, Majeke Nonkonyana, has since died.
Amensty International on Tuesday called for the arrest of all those suspected of criminal responsibility relating to the tragedy in 2012, and that the victims and their families receive reparations, including adequate compensation.
"The tragedy of the Marikana killings is compounded by the shocking fact that no one responsible for the bloodshed has yet been held accountable," said Shenilla Mohamed, executive director of Amnesty International South Africa.
"If the South African government wants to demonstrate that it is committed to truth and human rights, it needs to ensure that the wheels of justice start turning far faster than they have done over the past five years."