Marikana

It seems to me that there are three relatively simple reasons behind the Marikana tragedy. They are the role of the unions, the police, and the strikers themselves.

 

 First the unions, in this case the COSATU affiliate the National Union of Mineworkers, whose leadership has clearly failed to keep in touch with their own constituency. Politics, like nature, abhors a vacuum, which many are rushing to fill.

 

 Second, the police were clearly not adequately kitted out for riot control, and overall leadership at the time of the event appeared confused. This means unnecessary shootings.

 

Third, why are strikers permitted to come to strikes bearing arms, in this case mainly spears and new looking pangas? These are fearsome weapons, and I for one would rather be shot than hacked to death. It is absolute nonsense to classify these are “traditional “ weapons. Strikers should not be allowed to be armed, finish and klaar.

 

Dr Gavin Lewis

DA MPL Gauteng Legislature