MARIKANA — 2012 · Major Tragedy
Marikana Massacre
On 16 August 2012 at Marikana in South Africa's North West Province, police opened fire on miners striking for higher wages at a Lonmin platinum mine. Thirty-four miners were killed and 78 injured. In the days before, 10 other people, including two police officers and security guards, had been killed. It was the deadliest use of force by security forces against civilians since the end of apartheid. A commission of inquiry chaired by Judge Ian Farlam found in 2015 that the police operational plan was flawed. Years later there have been no convictions for the deaths and families are still waiting for justice.
- Date
- 2012
- Place
- North West Province, South Africa, Marikana, ZA
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- -25.6960, 27.4900 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 10 August 2012Lonmin miners went on strike for higher wages.
- 16 August 2012Police opened fire; 34 miners were killed.
- October 2012The Farlam Commission of Inquiry began work.
- 25 June 2015The commission's report found the police plan flawed.
Sources
- SAHO — Marikana Massacre 16 August 2012 sahistory.org.za ↗
- Al Jazeera — Six years on, still no justice for Marikana victims aljazeera.com ↗
- South African History Online
- Al Jazeera
Source grade B: at least one verifiable linked source. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.