Pretoria - Cabinet has endorsed the decision by President Jacob Zuma to appoint a judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the Marikana tragedy.
This is according to Cabinet spokesperson Jimmy Manyi, who said at a briefing in Pretoria on Wednesday that the President's expression of sympathy, somberness and concern over the loss of lives in Marikana reflected the feeling of millions of South Africans and observers around the world.
Thirty-four people were killed and 78 others sustained injuries in clashes with police at the Lonmin mine in Marikana last week. Days earlier, 10 people, including two police officers, died in other incidents at the mine.
Zuma set up the Commission of Inquiry following a visit to Marikana on Friday after he had cut short his participation at the SADC Summit in Maputo to return home. Manyi said he had visited the mine to provide a message of hope and to get a first-hand account of what transpired.
At the conclusion of his visit, the President said the truth of what had happened in Marikana had to be uncovered. "We must get to the truth. This is unacceptable in our country... This is shocking," he said.
Manyi added that Cabinet had also expressed its condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families and communities, and wishes a speedy recovery to all those that are still in hospital as a result of injuries sustained during the conflict situation.
Zuma has declared a national mourning period up until Sunday, during which time all the flags in the country and in missions outside the country will fly at half-mast.
A memorial service for the Lonmin mine workers will be held tomorrow at the same place where the tragedy took place.
Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Richard Baloyi said the memorial service should be held there as part of cleansing the area.
He appealed to all sectors of society to join hands with government in helping and comforting the families of the deceased. "Let's work together in this difficult time, we all need to be there for one another."
