Over R69m Paid to Marikana Families

By: Lindelani Mbatha

Government has rejected claims that it is dragging its feet in its efforts to compensate families of Marikana miners injured and killed during and leading up to the massacre in 2012.

This is after legal representatives for some of the affected miners and families claimed that government had left them without any support.

There were 36 claims instituted by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute against the government on behalf of families who had lost their loved ones.

It is also pursuing alternative dispute measures for those who were injured so they can settle out of court.

Monday this week marked nine years since 34 mine workers were shot and killed by police.

Solicitor General, Fhedzisani Pandelani, from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development says the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa is currently claiming general and constitutional damages.

Pandelani adds that government has paid just over R69 million in claims to families of those who died at Marikana in North West.