Amcu sends ‘open invitation’ for Marikana commemorations
“This is an open invitation to anyone who wants to attend the commemorations…we won’t be sending any invitation to any individuals or parties, everyone is invited,” Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa told journalists in Johannesburg.
Last year the ANC and the North West provincial government said they were not invited at the second anniversary that was held in Marikana. Speakers at last year’s event were mostly leaders from opposition parties and non-government organisations. Mathunjwa and Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema received a rousing welcome from the crowd at the commemorations.
This year’s commemoration will be held on Sunday, August 16 at the koppie where the miners were shot.
Mathunjwa also announced the launch of a trust fund to help the families of those killed during the violent strike in 2012.
“Amcu is undertaking a major fund raising campaign to build houses for the widows. The fund will help in providing for the children who have been left without parents, and make sure they are taken care of, and go to school like every child should,” he said.
He further invited South Africans to contribute to the trust and help the families rebuild their lives.
Forty-four people were killed in Marikana in 2012 following a violent, unprotected strike at Lonmin mines. Ten people, including two policemen and two Lonmin security guards, were killed in the week leading up to August 16 when police shot dead 34 striking miners. ANA
(File Photo: Gallo Images)