Protesters demand apology for Marikana miner massacre outside LonMin AGM in London

Protesters outside the UK mining company Lonmin, are demanding an apology for Marikana miner massacre.The company’s London Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently attracted protesters demanding the company be held responsible for the incident dubbed the “Marikana Massacre” when South African police shot 34 striking mine workers on August 2012.

“We would like the shareholders to hear the narrative that is likely to die if it’s not retold now and again. We would like to see the shareholders to take responsibility for ethical investment so that their money is used for developmental reasons, rather than destruction of human life and environment,” said a South African Bishop, Dr Johannes Seoka.

A nearly three-year long commission of inquiry in 2015 found Lonmin, police and unions were responsible for the killings.

The Bishop said they are demanding a structure, a monument that will have names and pictures of the deceased.
“We are demanding that they do something to accommodate about thirty thousand workers who live in tin shacks without clean water and access to electricity,” Seoka added.

A nearly three-year long commission of inquiry in 2015 found Lonmin, police and unions were responsible for the killings.

Economic Relations Programme Director, Amnesty International UK, Peter Frankental said they would like to see the company act with urgency in providing affordable accommodation for those who live in squalid conditions in informal settlements around the Marikana mine.

“We would like to see the company end its approach of misinformation, excuses to why it hasn’t constructed the houses it has promised. We would like to see much greater transparency as to its approach,” Frankental said.

The protesters on Thursday added their voice to calls from civil society groups for compensation for the families of the dead miners, a public apology and a monument.

South African Bishop Jo Seoka takes British miner to task in newint over #LonminBrokenPromises at Marikana: https://t.co/juhraUbrWp #Lonmin pic.twitter.com/cKUfswwPJY

— LondonMiningNetwork (londonmining) January 25, 2017

Analysts at BMO Capital Markets in a note said it remained cautious on Lonmin’s “ability to deliver.”