Press Release: South Africa in Mourning

BERLIN, 23 August 2012 – H.E. Ambassador Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile, South Africa’s Ambassador to Germany, has ordered that flags at South Africa’s Missions in Germany be flown at half-mast as part of his country’s period of mourning following the developments at the Lonmin Marikana mine in the North West province of South Africa from 10 to 16 August 2012 which claimed the lives of citizens and police officers.

The period of national mourning, declared by President Jacob Zuma, will last from Monday, 20 August 2012, to Sunday, 26 August 2012, to commemorate the lives of all South Africans who have died violently, especially the 44 who were killed in the Marikana incident.

“I am deeply dismayed and saddened by the developments at the Lonmin Marikana mine,” said H.E. Ambassador Stofile. “I wish to join my Government in offering our sincere condolences to all families who have lost their loved ones. We wish those who have been injured a speedy recovery.”

H.E. Ambassador Stofile further commented on the supremacy of the South African constitution: “I can assure those concerned that South Africa’s Constitution dictates that the rule of law applies to everyone - employers, labour and the police.”

“Following this incident, President Zuma has established an Inter-ministerial Committee to lead and coordinate assistance to the families of all who died in Marikana,” said H. E. Ambassador Stofile. “The Committee will be led by Minister in the Presidency, Collins Chabane, and he will be supported by the Premier of the North West Province and the National Ministers of Mineral Resources, Police, Social Development, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Labour, Defence and Military Veterans, Health, State Security, and Home Affairs.” The Inter-Ministerial Committee will oversee government intervention and strategies, working with key stakeholders, to restore peace, order and stability at Marikana.

The Presidency also will shortly announce the composition of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry and its terms of reference. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry will investigate all events that led to the Lonmin Mine incident. 

H.E. Ambassador Stofile further wished to assure the international community that all parties to the conflict are being called back to the negotiation table to reach a peaceful resolution. He stressed that South Africa is renowned throughout the world for its capacity for peaceful resolution of disputes and he reaffirmed the belief in peace, stability and order and in building a caring society free of crime and violence. “This is not the time for inflammatory statements and pointing fingers. All South Africans must work together and unite against incitement of violence from whatever quarter – as we have done in the past.”

President Jacob Zuma declared Thursday, 23 August as the official day for memorial services to be held around the country to mourn and promote a violence-free society.

The official day of memorial services will be marked by mourning and memorial activities observed throughout the country.

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