S. Africa marks two-year anniversary of Marikana tragedy

The South African government on Saturday marked the two-year anniversary of the Marikana tragedy in which 34 miners were shot dead by police.

Nothing will ever take away the pain felt by the loved ones of all those who died in Marikana, a volatile mining area in North West Province, the Presidency said in a statement

On Aug. 16, 2012, police opened fire at striking miners, killing 34 of them in what was believed to be the worst violence linked with labour unrest since the end of apartheid in 1994. Ten others had died in clashes among rival trade unions in events leading to the Marikana tragedy.

"This tragic day should be marked as a day of reflection and recommitment to peace and tolerance in the country. We cannot bring back those who lost their lives, but we must ensure that there is never a repeat of the tragic and painful incidents of August 2012," presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said.

"We need to recommit ourselves to ensuring that violence is never again used to solve problems of any kind in our country," he said.

South Africa, he said, has the laws, institutions and many instruments to deal with disagreements and find solutions.

"Our progressive labour relations framework in particular, includes mechanisms of solving disputes. These should be utilised to avoid senseless loss of life during labour disputes," Maharaj added.

After the Marikana tragedy, President Jacob Zuma set up the Farlam Commission of Inquiry to investigate the incident and bring to book those responsible for the tragedy. But up till now, the commission has failed to accomplish its task.

The commission "is still continuing with its work of establishing the facts about what happened", Maharaj said.

"We will continue to respect that process and will not apportion blame or pre-empt the findings of the inquiry."

Labour relations remain tense after the Marikana tragedy. A number of miners have died in internal fighting among trade unions since the tragedy.