The PAYCO in the Western Cape would like to send our deepest and sincerest condolences to the families of the mine workers that died yesterday 16 August 2012. It is our obligations as a movement to be on the side of the defenceless, poorest, and the most victimised in our society, having said that we identify the mining workers as the most abused, and defenceless workers in the whole economy of this country.
We are aware that the dust has not settled yet and a thorough investigation has not been conducted to weight the merits of the use of live ammunition by the security forces, but we categorically state it that no one even the state has the right to take another human being’s life more especially 35 people. We have been following the story for the past three days and yesterday was “the day the violence stops” as per Mrs Mbombo who was the spokesperson of the police. That statement hinted that the police had already been briefed about the possibility of killing at close range a group of un-trained civilians. The (NUM) National Union of Mine worker has appeared to have been also conspiring with the authorities when they were claiming that the union that was striking has to be de-registered and police should take action against the striking workers.
A precedent was set in the Zuma mine and police cannot in any way justify their actions. It was purely premeditated violent killing of our youth. The questions we ask ourselves range from: where was modern anti-violence technology such as water cannons, teargas and so on. Where was the Bill of rights when the police brutally reminded us of the apartheid years where a human life was and is still weighing nothing compared to the Dollar that the gold is sold to?
We edge all the people of this country to not wait for the president to declare a day of mourning for the incompetence of him and his office bearers, but to mourn and pay their respect to the fellow young and old people that died in the Marikana massacre. As we remember the lives of the fallen let us also reflect on what needs to be done, in order to intensify our struggle. It is clear that the current government is part of an on-going problem of exploitation of the African people and their resources in this country. As we are reminded of that let us draw our energy from our past victories as a people and a country.
At 3:00 pm all the people are asked to buy candles and peacefully march to the Parliament in cape Town. This is a peaceful call for a WHY march? (Who benefits, how many lives must we lose before nationalisation of the industry? Yearning for true Freedom)
By
PAYCO Western Cape
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