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Representing more than 200 organisations of trade unions, civics, social movements, youth and rural organisations, the United Front salutes the workers, widows and general community of Marikana. We say VIVA to the undying spirit of Marikana!

We write this message to express our solidarity with you as the workers, the widows, the families and the general community of Marikana. We feel and share your pain. We extend our hand solidarity in struggle. Your struggle is in every township, every informal settlement, every rural village, every inner city and every workplace. Millions of workers, millions of the unemployed all desire and fight daily for a decent life, the right to work for all, a living wage, decent housing, free basic services, good education, and development for all.

We have read and studied the report of the Farlam Commission. We are shocked that the Commission has opted to put the primary blame for the Marikana massacre on the workers. Anyone who doubts this must read Chapter 3 of the report. In this Chapter Farlam concludes that “the tragic events at Marikana are rooted in widespread labour disputes in the area, particularly, at Lonmin?s Karee mine and at the nearby Impala Platinum Mine (“Implats”) which were characterised by violence, intimidation and loss of life and the undermining of agreed collective bargaining processes… the tragic events that occurred during the period 12 to 16 August 2012 originated from the decision and conduct of the strikers in embarking on an unprotected strike and in enforcing the strike by violence and intimidation, using dangerous weapons for the purpose.”. This is to blame the very workers for their own massacre. This is illogical! This is unjust!

We, as the United Front, are extremely disappointed that the Commission failed to find anyone political responsible for the terrible massacre of striking mineworkers at Marikana. We are not fools. We can all see that Cyril Ramaphosa, Nathi Mthethwa and Susan Shabangu have been let off without any political responsibility. We can see that Farlam was not willing to expose the criminal complicity of all involved – the police, the politicians and the Lonmin management. That is to use the blood of the 46 who died to wash Ramaphosa, Mthethwa and Shabangu clean. That is an insult to us. It undermines the memory of the 46 workers who died.

The Commission’s bias and recommendations fall far short of justice for Marikana workers. The Commission’s report also falls far short in telling the truth about the super exploitation of black workers at the service of Lonmin and other capitalist shareholders. This white minority earns super profits from our minerals and cheap labour. they live well whilst the workers, their families and communities live in shanty towns without basic amenities and opportunities for a decent life. If justice is to be achieved, how can the Commission be complicit with capitalist exploitation?

We, as the United Front, commit ourselves to work with the workers, their trade union AMCU, the widows, the families, the general community of Marikana, the Marikana Support Campaign and others to ensure that we win justice for Marikana. We will mobilise all the 240 organisations that are part of the United Front and many others to take up the struggle for justice for Marikana. The blood of MaMbush and the 45 other workers who died shall nourish the tree that will bear the fruit of true freedom and justice. This truth we shall fight for until we have won justice for Marikana and all exploited black workers in our country!

Issued by United Front