Pretoria - The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on the Marikana tragedy led by Minister in The Presidency, Collins Chabane, has sent condolences to the family of Councillor Pauline Masutlhe from Marikana.
Councillor Masutlhe passed away on 19 September 2012 at Job Shimankane Tabane Hospital in Rustenburg. She was shot in her leg by police during a police operation on 15 September in Nkaneng Informal Settlement in Marikana and was subsequently admitted in hospital, where she underwent an operation to remove the rubber bullet.
The Committee expressed its heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the Masutlhe family and the community she tirelessly served.
"We are deeply saddened to lose a dedicated person of Councillor Masutlhe's caliber. She was very instrumental in providing support to the IMC, while it was discharging its responsibilities in Marikana. Our r hearts are with the Masutlhe family at this time," said Chabane.
Masutlhe was a Proportional Representation Councillor in Madibeng Local Municipality and also served at Bonjanala District Municipality representing the African National Congress.
She formed part of the team that worked tirelessly together with the IMC to resolve the Marikana matter and assisted in providing support to the families of the deceased, the injured and the striking Lonmin mineworkers.
North West Premier Thandi Modise has also expressed shock after receiving a report about Masutlhe's death.
"We wish to convey our condolences to the family on the loss of their loved ones and to the community on the loss of their loyal servant who was very helpful throughout the conflict and stood by the ANC branch and did not desert the miners," said Premier Modise.
While relevant authorities investigate the councillors' shooting and subsequent death, Premier Modise appealed for calm and for members of the public not to speculate on the cause of her death as a post-mortem will confirm the actual cause of her death.
The Premier said that government had activated support for the family as it had done with all other victims of the Marikana tragedy.
