Government has established a call centre to assist the families and dependents of the victims of the Marikana tragedy.
It set up an inter-ministerial committee (IMC) to lead and coordinate assistance to the families of all who died at Lonmin's Marikana mine, in Rustenburg, when striking miners clashed with police, between 10 and 16 August.
The committee is led by minister in the presidency Collins Chabane, and will assist with the identification of family members who have died, with counselling services, burials, transport and any other logistical support relating to the tragedy, according to the presidency.
Locating family
The committee has now implemented the information support call centre.
It says members of the community, who require information in relation to the whereabouts of their family members, friends or colleagues, or who may need access to government services, are encouraged to contact the call centre.
“The call centre will be resourced with relevant officials from the departments of home affairs, health, social development and the South African Police Service to assist with locating family members who might still be missing.”
The call centre numbers are 014 590 3860/ 3854/ 3856 and the fax number is 014 597 3924.
Government service
The IMC, together with religious leaders, mine workers and other stakeholders, will also hold an official memorial service for victims of the tragedy. It will be held today at the Nkaneng Informal Settlement at 11h00.
The committee says government is providing several services in relation to the incident.
It has identified 33 out of the 44 deceased, death certificates are being issued, counselling and support is being provided to families who require social assistance, and social workers maintain a consistent presence.
The violence at the Lonmin mine, in Marikana, reportedly claimed the lives of 34 mineworkers. A strike by the miners relating to pay turned violent, resulting in police opening fire with live ammunition.
Police officers were also injured and killed in the protest action.
Democracy cornerstone
“These events are not what we want to see or want to become accustomed to, in a democracy that is bound by the rule of law, and where we are creating a better life for all our people,” says president Jacob Zuma.
“We do not expect such incidents, particularly in a country where there is a high level of organisation within the labour movement. We have trade unions with many years of experience in organising workers, within the framework of the labour laws of the country. We can protest against any institution peacefully. It is one of the cornerstones of our hard won democracy.”
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