Pretoria - The Marikana Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Thursday met with stakeholders from traditional and religious sectors ahead of finalising the report to be submitted to Cabinet on the Marikana tragedy.
In a joint statement, the IMC and stakeholders described the meeting as useful, adding that it had captured the spirit of cooperation.
Stakeholders who participated in the meeting included leadership from the National House of Traditional Leaders, North West House of Traditional Leaders, Congress for Traditional Leaders of South Africa and North West Provincial Faith-Based Organisations.
The support provided by all stakeholders during the tragedy in Marikana was acknowledged during the meeting.
"The role played by government in assisting all the bereaved families was also acknowledged. This includes the process of identifying the deceased, issuing of death certificates and burial orders, offering counselling and emotional support, as well as assisting with financial and logistical arrangements during the funerals and support with the Unemployment Insurance Fund to all the bereaved families," the statement said.
The meeting noted that educational support for the children of those who were killed was critical. In cooperation with Lonmin Mining, this would be followed up and feedback provided to the IMC, the meeting agreed.
The rights of all South Africans to peaceful protests and demonstrations were acknowledged but the meeting emphasised that these rights were accompanied by responsibilities to respect the rule of law.
The parties condemned, among others, the killing of people, intimidation, violence, damage to property and carrying of dangerous weapons.
Those at the meeting also noted the work of the Farlam Commission of Inquiry and encouraged everyone to provide the necessary support to the Commission and allow it to do its job.
It was agreed that more interaction between the parties involved needed to take place to ensure that similar situations would be avoided in future.
