Pretoria - The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) in Marikana today engaged several stakeholders, including families who will bury their loved ones this weekend.
"The committee is pleased with progress made by different spheres of government in providing all the support and assistance to the bereaved families," the IMC said in a statement.
Progress made thus far includes:
* All 44 people who died have been identified. Five were found to be foreign nationals, four from Lesotho and one from Swaziland.
* All 44 post-mortems have been concluded. The post-mortems were conducted by state pathologists and verified by independent private pathologists.
* Death certificates are being issued and thus far 30 have already been issued to families.
* Government is providing support and continues to make contributions to all bereaved families towards burials.
* Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant, today met with union representatives to stabilise the situation and find an amicable solution to the labour dispute.
* 20 social workers are stationed at the mine hospital, mortuary and Marikana to provide psycho- social support (counselling for trauma and bereavement).
* The social workers are also providing support at the bereaved family homesteads.
* Government continues to provide transport, accommodation, alternative care if needed especially for the children.
"The funerals for the deceased will take place on different dates, as decided by the bereaved families, from this weekend until the 8 September 2012. Thus far, 6 out of the 44 have been buried," the IMC said.
The IMC said government will contribute towards funeral arrangements and any other needs the families may require regardless of any other contributions by stakeholders.
"All services will be provided to all the families of the 44 deceased including the foreign nationals," it said.
This weekend three funerals will take place with one in Wonderkop in Marikana, North West and two in the Eastern Cape.
The IMC has been based in Marikana and surrounding areas since Monday. The committee has met with stakeholders such as religious and traditional leaders in an effort to work together in the process of healing and providing assistance to the bereaved families and the injured.
The committee also met with Lonmin Mine management, unions and the mine workers to pledge government support.
President Jacob Zuma also visited the miners on Wednesday to hear their plight as well as offer condolences of behalf of government and the people of South Africa
Government urges all stakeholders to show support to the bereaved families and communities as they continue their journey of healing.
