ANA reports that Presidency has announced that government is ready to pay compensation for the victims of the August 2012 violence at Lonmin’s Marikana platinum mine. Thirty-four people died at the hands of the police on 16 August 2012 and 10 were killed in preceding days.
“Regarding the compensation for the Marikana victims, government is ready to pay,” a statement issued by the Presidency on Sunday on steps being taken by government departments to implement the Farlam Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations indicated. Police spokesperson Sandile Ngidi said upwards of one billion rand had been set aside for compensation and went on to add: “The SAPS [South African Police Service] has instructed its attorneys to make offers of payments in full settlement of claims for the claims where quantification were complete and are not under criminal investigation.” Most of the quantified claims are for loss of support or unlawful arrest and detention. Eighty-one claims for personal injury have been delayed over quantification.
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