COSATU Statement on the Upcoming Marikana Rally on Sunday, 17 November 2019
November 12, 2019
The Congress of South African Trade Unions is calling on all workers, members of the Alliance and communities to support the upcoming Marikana rally that will take place on Sunday 17 November 2019.The Marikana tragedy is a classic example of the immorality of Capitalism and its festering greed.
COSATU with all affiliated unions and Alliance partners are committed to confronting the deteriorating situation that has led to many workers still getting killed after the tragic events of 2012.
The Federation condemns the ongoing violence and intimidation of workers in Marikana and we strongly support the principle of Freedom of Association, especially for the working class. Membership of any union or any party should not be a death sentence in a democratic country. The ongoing killings and violent attacks on NUM members and leaders must stop and cannot be allowed to continue. The law enforcement agencies need to start doing their work of apprehending the perpetrators.
Political opportunism, populism and the culture of warlordism has undermined the efforts to find lasting solutions to the problems that led to the tragedy in the first place.
The legacy of the Marikana tragedy should have been about changing the conditions of the mineworkers and holding the mining companies accountable for the damage that they have inflicted on the workers and communities for centuries. Unfortunately, we will not be able to achieve any of this because some have decided to hijack Marikana for narrow political and selfish ends.
Seven years later, workers are still forced to deal with the specter of violence that continues to haunt the mining sector and the Platinum belt, in particular. Marikana cannot be allowed to become a slaughterhouse for the workers and a playground for assassins.
This rally is about reminding workers that the ongoing violence, whose main victims remain the exploited masses, is not only weakening them but it has also shifted the focus and blame from the mine bosses who have systematically undermined collective bargaining and promoted division amongst workers.
While workers are killing each other and surviving on their unemployment stipends; the mine bosses sitting in comfort enjoying profits from the very workers whose families have now been robbed of their only breadwinners.
COSATU pledges to continue to strive to unite all workers in the struggle against poverty and exploitation, and for safe working conditions, decent and quality jobs, comprehensive social security and comprehensive social services.
The details of the rally are as follows:
Date : Sunday ,17 November 2019
Venue : Marikana West Community Hall
Time : 10:00AM
Issued by COSATU
Sizwe Pamla (Cosatu National Spokesperson)
Cell: 060 975 6794
The Congress of South African Trade Unions is calling on all workers, members of the Alliance and communities to support the upcoming Marikana rally that will take place on Sunday 17 November 2019.The Marikana tragedy is a classic example of the immorality of Capitalism and its festering greed.
COSATU with all affiliated unions and Alliance partners are committed to confronting the deteriorating situation that has led to many workers still getting killed after the tragic events of 2012.
The Federation condemns the ongoing violence and intimidation of workers in Marikana and we strongly support the principle of Freedom of Association, especially for the working class. Membership of any union or any party should not be a death sentence in a democratic country. The ongoing killings and violent attacks on NUM members and leaders must stop and cannot be allowed to continue. The law enforcement agencies need to start doing their work of apprehending the perpetrators.
Political opportunism, populism and the culture of warlordism has undermined the efforts to find lasting solutions to the problems that led to the tragedy in the first place.
The legacy of the Marikana tragedy should have been about changing the conditions of the mineworkers and holding the mining companies accountable for the damage that they have inflicted on the workers and communities for centuries. Unfortunately, we will not be able to achieve any of this because some have decided to hijack Marikana for narrow political and selfish ends.
Seven years later, workers are still forced to deal with the specter of violence that continues to haunt the mining sector and the Platinum belt, in particular. Marikana cannot be allowed to become a slaughterhouse for the workers and a playground for assassins.
This rally is about reminding workers that the ongoing violence, whose main victims remain the exploited masses, is not only weakening them but it has also shifted the focus and blame from the mine bosses who have systematically undermined collective bargaining and promoted division amongst workers.
While workers are killing each other and surviving on their unemployment stipends; the mine bosses sitting in comfort enjoying profits from the very workers whose families have now been robbed of their only breadwinners.
COSATU pledges to continue to strive to unite all workers in the struggle against poverty and exploitation, and for safe working conditions, decent and quality jobs, comprehensive social security and comprehensive social services.
The details of the rally are as follows:
Date : Sunday ,17 November 2019
Venue : Marikana West Community Hall
Time : 10:00AM
Issued by COSATU
Sizwe Pamla (Cosatu National Spokesperson)
Cell: 060 975 6794
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