Round table on Marikana claims to be held in January
Government lawyers will invite the legal representatives of families of victims of the Marikana massacre to talks in January to explore an alternative dispute settlement process, President Jacob Zuma’s office said on Tuesday.
he presidency recalled that Zuma had indicated in September that government wanted to explores such a process “to expedite the processing of all claims arising from the tragic incidents of August 2012”.
It added: “In order to take the process forward, government lawyers have been instructed to invite the legal representatives of all the claimants to a round table discussion to be held on or before 29 January 2016.
“The meeting will be aimed at discussing the process to resolve the claims in a manner which is transparent, effective and expeditious.”
The presidency said the legal claims arising from the killing of 37 striking miners at Marikana would, however, continue in the meanwhile.
“Unfortunately, the court processes are dictated by time limits. Whilst government is considering these claims and the proposed process, both parties have continued to file the necessary court pleadings to ensure compliance with the court rules.”
The families of the 37 mineworkers killed at Marikana on 13 and 16 August, 2012 have filed civil claims against the minister of police in the High Court in Pretoria, while 275 miners who were arrested and injured have lodged a claim for more than R1 billion against the state.
ANA
File photo: Gallo Images