Amnesty International bemoans lack of prosecutions for Marikana massacre

Thirty-four striking miners were gunned down by the police at Lonmin platinum mine in the North West on this day 11 years ago.

 

The tragedy followed a six-week-long strike over wages, as well as better living and work conditions. 

 

In total, 44 people died during that period. 

 

Amnesty International's Shenilla Mohamed says the lack of prosecutions for the killings entrenches a culture of impunity in South Africa.

 

"We made it clear to IPID and the NPA that waiting 11 years for accountability was unacceptable. The excuse that investigations were stopped until 2016, is also not a good enough excuse, it still means that there have been seven years with no prosecutions and no accountability.

“The victims and their families cannot be made to wait another year, never mind another 11 years for justice. This will just result in the continued lack of accountability for the unlawful killings by police.”