SABC News reports that ex-mine workers from the Pondoland area of the Eastern Cape, who fled Marikana during the infamous massacre, say they are struggling to make ends meet.  

The former workers claim they escaped from the mining town following harassment and death threats.  Scores of them gathered in Mfenyane village outside Ntabankulu over the weekend to commemorate the massacre, six years after it had occurred.  Some of them said they do odd jobs in order to put food on the table.  Zamile Gasa, a former Marikana mine worker, observed they might have survived, but to them it felt like they died along with the deceased during the massacre.  Another ex-mineworker, Mguyelwa Ngozi said he depended on doing odd jobs for him and his family to survive.  At the time of the massacre he was attacked and after he reported the incident, mine management told him that his safety could not be guaranteed.  The Centre for Economic Participation has also promised to train the ex-miners in various skills that include farming, to help them generate sustainable income to support their families.

• Read this report by Fundiswa Mhlekude in full at SABC News

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