BY Obakeng M,aje

Rustenburg– The Inter-Ministerial Committee appointed by President Jacob Zuma following the Marikana tragedy met on Monday, 20 August 2012 in Rustenburg, North West. The Committee will maintain a ministerial presence in the area supported by senior government officials operating from the offices of the Executive Mayor of Rustenburg Local Municipality.

The Committee which includes Ministers: Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini -Zuma, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Minister Susan Shabangu, Mildred Oliphant, Nathi Mthethwa, Dr. Siyabonga Cwele, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, Bathabile Dlamini, Richard Baloyi, the Premier of the North West Province Thandi Modise and the Executive Mayor, Mpho Khunou.

The Committee met against the background of the declaration of Days of National Mourning, marked by national flags flying at half-mast nationally and at all South African Embassies and High Commissions abroad.

The Government remains of the conviction that this is not the time for apportioning blame, finger-pointing or exploiting this national tragedy to advance narrow and petty political agendas.  Neither must violence replace dialogue which has become synonymous with the new and democratic South Africa in resolving problems.

In pursuance of this objective,  we call on affected communities to support the law enforcement agencies as they continue to discharge the mandate of ensuring the maintenance of safety and security, protection of life and limb as well as property.

We further call on leaders of all sectors of our society including religious, business, labour, traditional leaders, civic, women and youth to join the Government in its efforts to unite the people in prayer and thoughts around this national tragedy and beyond. We reiterate our firm belief that only working together can we help the nation in the process of healing.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee, in elaborating on the mandate given by President Zuma,  decided upon a number of critical interventions as part of the Government’s contribution  to assist the families of those who lost their loved ones, as well as those injured and recuperating in hospital.

Noting that President Zuma had already visited those injured in hospitals, the Inter-Ministerial Committee decided upon the following measures for immediate implementation:

• To visit the mortuary and give support to bereaved families
• To meet various stakeholders –traditional leaders, trade unions, mine management, and religious leaders.
• Brief political parties represented in parliament on government interventions
• Government will also participate in the national debate scheduled for 14h00, tomorrow, Tuesday 21 August in the National Assembly

In further giving effect to the President’s Declaration of the National Days of Mourning, the Committee further called on all South Africans to mark this tragedy with dignity and respect and to attend  memorial services which will be organised in various provinces.

The following are the services that the Committee pledged that Government will provide to affected communities:

o   State Pathology to work with provincial authorities in finalising post-mortem processes

o   A contingency of health personnel comprising of, military, municipal, provincial, and national have been mobilised to provide any emergency services required during this period and beyond

o   Identification of the remaining six deceased persons.

o   Provision of death certificates through dedicated counters established in the local Rustenburg Home Affairs offices to all those affected families including the issuance of enabling documents to help in the facilitation of movement of deceased persons through various ports of entry with particular reference to foreign nationals

o   To provide psycho-social support to members of the bereaved families and the injured through a dedicated team of social workers who will be stationed in the area while providing alternative care for orphaned children.

o   Ensure payment of Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and Compensation Fund benefits, where applicable to affected families.

o   To provide disaster management services in all major gatherings related to this tragedy.

o   Engage services of the CCMA to help in dispute resolution and to find a lasting solution to current challenges.

o   Engage with political parties represented in parliament to brief them about government interventions in this regard

o   Co-ordinate with other provinces from which some of the deceased originate