Latest news with #Lonmin
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
AMCU hits out at scheduling of National Convention, says it eclipsed Marikana commemoration
JOHANNESBURG - The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) has taken exception to the scheduling of the first National Convention to coincide with the annual commemoration of the Marikana massacre. Thirty-four mineworkers were gunned down in a wildcat strike on 16 August in 2012. The violent clash with law enforcement in the build-up to one of the country's worst mining tragedies followed failed wage negotiations between workers and Lonmin mine management. Two officers and security guards were also killed in the conflict. Thirteen years on, the families of the victims and survivors say they are yet to see justice. Speaking on 702's Nguni programme, Siyaxoxa ku-702, on Sunday night, AMCU president, Joseph Mathunjwa, accused organisers of intentionally trying to eclipse the Marikana commemoration and distract from it with the National Convention held in Pretoria at the weekend. "If the miners weren't killed intentionally, then President Cyril Ramaphosa, who sanctioned the police to shoot protesting miners by sending an email demanding concomitant action, wouldn't have scheduled the National Dialogue on the same day as the Marikana commemoration. But it's clear, this issue has never affected him, he doesn't care." At the time of the Marikana massacre, Ramaphosa was the country's deputy president and a non-executive director at Lonmin. An email he sent on 15 August surfaced in a bundle of documents submitted by Lonmin in a commission probing the circumstances of the tragedy. In the email, Ramaphosa wrote: "The terrible events that have unfolded cannot be described as a labour dispute. They are plainly dastardly criminal and must be characterised as such. In line with this characterisation, there needs to be concomitant action to address the situation." In court papers, he said the email had been taken out of context, adding that it was a call for peace to prevent the further loss of life.
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Politics
- 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.
Eyewitness News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
MACUA: State continues to prioritise business over people
JOHANNESBURG - As the 13th anniversary of the Marikana Massacre draws closer, some mining communities believe that government has not done enough to protect them from businesses. On 16 August 2012, police in the North West killed 34 Lonmin miners who were striking for better wages. On Wednesday, civil lobby group, Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), held a march in Pretoria to commemorate the event. ALSO READ: • Civil lobby group MACUA criticised for targeting illegal miners not buyers of illicit materials • Calls are growing for the legalisation of artisanal mining by communities around mining towns • Some mining communities believe current legislation excludes them from being consulted on mining activities As part of its march, MACUA submitted its objection to the Draft Minerals Resources Development Bill. It said that the bill, in its current form, did not fully address the issue of consultation between communities and mining companies. Thirteen years later, the group's Sabelo Mnguni said that the state continued to prioritise business over people. "Marikana happens in different forms. We are being killed where we live because we live in contaminated land. We drink contaminated water, our houses are cracking and the environment in cracking, so Marikana is everyday." The group said that an investigation must be held into the Stilfontein tragedy, where 78 suspected zama zama's died earlier this year.
Reuters
13-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
South Africa's Exxaro names veteran mining executive Ben Magara new CEO
JOHANNESBURG, March 13 (Reuters) - Exxaro Resources (EXXJ.J), opens new tab, a South African coal miner, said it has appointed veteran mining executive Ben Magara as its new CEO following the departure of Nombasa Tsengwa. Magara is a former CEO of platinum miner Lonmin and has also worked for Anglo American. Get a look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets with the Morning Bid U.S. newsletter. Sign up here. The South African coal miner is naming a new boss to steer the company after its headline earnings per share fell 36% to 30.16 rand ($1.65) in 2024 due mainly to lower coal prices.
