AMCU establishes Labour Party to fight government 'betrayal' over Marikana Massacre
34 mineworkers were gunned down on that day.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, which led the strike in 2012, says it feels betrayed by government's decision to host a National Dialogue on the same day.
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The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
ANC spokesperson shamed for 'overeating' at National Dialogue
eNCA news anchor Andrew Barnes has issued a public apology to ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu after he shamed her for overeating at the National Dialogue. The convention – which is open to the public – kicked off on Friday, 15 August at the University of South Africa (UNISA)'s main campus in Pretoria. It will continue for several months and will facilitate direct communication between the government and the public. In a clip that has gone viral on social media, eNCA's Andrew Barnes commented on ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu's appearance at the National Dialogue. He said during a live segment: 'I hope the ANC spokeswoman is no longer hungry. She helped herself no less than twice to the crew's sandwiches'. He added, 'Love her'. The clip left many government officials outraged over the journalist's comments. Gauteng Premier Penyaza Lesufi posted on X: 'I hope eNCA will act decisively. He will never say this to Helen Zille or AfriForum'. The president's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, added, 'This is outside of free speech and totally uncalled for.' Mahlengi Bhengu responded to being fat-shamed at the National Dialogue, tweeting: 'Self-entitled condescension at its pitiful level. Embarrassed at such a lack of class. 'The ANC Communications has a great rapport with ENCA colleagues. The sandwich Marshall cannot fathom'. Bhengu also demanded a public apology. Following the backlash, eNCA's Andrew Barnes issued a public apology via his X account. He said, 'At the time, I thought I was being cheeky and clever, but I've since been made to understand just how very deep those comments cut, not just to the ANC national spokesperson but for women across the country. '[The National Dialogue] touched on the very issues we're talking about at the national convention: race, identity, and a lack of respect. But they also cut very personally, and I never go out to intentionally hurt anyone's feelings. But I'm sorry.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
5 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Marikana Massacre: SA govt receives backlash from EFF and BOSA
JOHANNESBURG – The South African government is facing criticism for its silence on the 'Marikana Massacre' as the country remembered 34 mineworkers who were gunned down by police in 2012. Saturday marked 13 years since the incident took place at the Lonmin Platinum Mine – now known as Sibanye-Stillwater - in the North West province during a wage protest Although a commission of inquiry had been conducted, no one has faced prosecution for the tragedy to date. Several organisations and political parties honoured and commemorated the lives that were lost during the tragic incident that occurred 13 years ago - and renewed their calls for accountability. For its part, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) pointed out that many families lost fathers, brothers and sons - men who were fighting for their basic human rights and for dignity. ALSO READ: The party also criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa, a shareholder at the time at Lonmin, and the African National Congress (ANC) for failing to deliver justice. Build One SA (BOSA) also called on Ramaphosa to commemorate the massacre with a National Day, in honour of those breadwinners who were killed 13 years ago. The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) also reiterated their demands for justice. And the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) emphasised that true justice could only come through successful prosecutions.
The Herald
6 hours ago
- The Herald
'He still has not come here': Mpofu says Ramaphosa still owes Marikana families an apology
Workers and Socialist Party (WASP) and Socialist Youth Movement (SYM) are demanding justice for the Marikana massacre victims and want the alleged killers prosecuted, including President Cyril Ramaphosa and police commanders. Saturday marked the 13th anniversary of the massacre when 34 mineworkers were killed by police during a strike at Lonmin Mine in Marikana in North West. Mineworkers had downed tools and participated in unprotected wage strikes. A total of 44 people lost their lives during the strike. Police allegedly shot 34 on August 16 2012. WASP and SYM believe the massacre was not a police operation that went wrong, claiming it was a deliberate act of violence to protect the profits of Lonmin (now Sibanye-Stillwater) and the capitalist mining industry. 'In its execution, it was premeditated. The ANC government, under Jacob Zuma, deployed police to crush worker resistance, proving once and for all that the ANC is no longer a movement for liberation but a bloody instrument of mining monopoly capital,' said WASP national executive committee member Mametlwe Sebei. Sebie said WASP and SYM were demanding the nationalisation of the mines under workers' control and a living wage for all workers — a R15,000 minimum wage now and a universal basic income grant of R1,500. He said Cosatu should break away from the ANC, as should all trade unions aligned with other capitalist parties, to unite into a united working class front, and a mass workers' party to fight for socialism. 'Even today, no-one has been held accountable. Cyril Ramaphosa, then a Lonmin director who called for 'concomitant action' against the strikers, is now president — showing the ANC's true allegiance. The Farlam commission was a whitewash and the police and politicians who ordered the killings remain free,' Seabi said.
