The Citizen reports that Monday marked the ninth anniversary of the 2012 Marikana massacre, in which 44 people lost their lives, but the actual figures of longstanding claims by families were only released to the public on Tuesday.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s solicitor-general, Fhedzisani Pandelani, outlined to the media what had been being paid to claimants, and the problems the state was having with finalising pending problems. The State Attorney offices in Pretoria centralised claims after claimants engaged a number of different legal representatives. Regarding the Wits Law Clinic claims, Pandelani reported that there were no outstanding matters and that R3,995,121 had been paid out. Of the 36 matters filed via the Socioeconomic Rights Institute (Seri), 35 have been finalised, with payouts of R69,083,121. Pandelani explained that had the claims been filed under the Once and for all Rule, the matters would have been resolved. However, Seri was requesting General and Constitutional Damages for all claimants, a figure that was “not easy to quantify”. As a result, the state had offered to add an additional R500,000 to the just under R70 million paid to Seri claimants. Seri rejected the offer, and presented a counter-offer of R1.5 million, which was still in court. Claims from Maluleke Msimang Attorneys, which is representing both wounded and unlawfully arrested victims, were currently in court and the outcome “might take time”. Other victims who were injured and/or assaulted in 2012 filed through Thlathla Attorneys. Almost 27 claims were submitted, which were in the process of settlement negotiation. Nkome Attorneys had 275 claimants, 253 of which have to date been paid R97,685,000. Of the 22 remaining claimants, 11 were being negotiated, while 11 “have outstanding issues not yet resolved.” According to Pindelani, all claims involving deceased mine workers have been settled. Those that were still alive needed to be wrapped up soon, he said.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nica Richards at The Citizen
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