When many lives were lost at Marikana, the government was randomly condemned for going overboard in dealing with the wildcat Lonmin strike action. So outraged were some of these elements that they called for the political head of the President, Minister of Police and his National Police Commissioner.
Exercising his abundant prudence and logic, President Jacob Zuma, cut short his stay at the AU Summit in neihbouring Mozambique to deal with the escalating mayhem following the Marikana deaths. Upon his arrival in the country, President Zuma caused a faster pace in arresting the Marikana anarchy.
He visted Marikana to engage role-players, including the workers. A Commission of Enquiry was appointed and an inter-ministerial committee set-up to see to the decent burial of those who lost their lives in the miners confrontation with the police.
As it would be expected from a country rife with opportunism, everything and everybody wanted to cash on the Marikana tragedy - starting from the lacklustre Patrick Lekota to the out in the cold wilderness Julius Malema.
Even a Bishop Joe Seoka allow his cassock to be soiled by the temptation of five minutes of fame.
Others sought to spread the Marikana inferno to all the mines in the country.They even attempted to stir mutiny within the ranks of the military.
It appeared as if the falcon couldn't hear the falconer; things were falling apart; the centre couldn't hold.
Mere anarchy was loosed upon the world.
Anarchy would have been our way of life if the government of President Jacob Zuma didn't declare, thus far and no further. According to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Jeff Radebe, there was no need to declared a state of emergency in the affected areas- normal legislation would do just fine to contain the Marikana situation..
Since the pronouncement by the President and Minister Radebe the police, ably assisted by the army moved into Marikana to restore law and order - no illegal gatherings, carrying of dangerous weapons, incitement and threats of violence.
Law and order has been restored - much to the delight of all South Africans. The exception to this national delight being the opposition accusing the government of invoking the apartheid-era law and order measures.
The reaction of the opposition parties has highlighted their rank idiocy and opportunism.
Twitter: @molebi
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