President Jacob Zuma.(SABC)
Tags:
Flags will fly at half-mast across the country from tomorrow. President Jacob Zuma has declared this week a period of national mourning.
34 striking platinum miners died in a hail of police bullets at Marikana in the North West last Thursday. An inter-ministerial committee is to travel to the area tomorrow.
On Thursday, August 23, has been declared a day for countrywide memorial services. The services will also commemorate the eight people of an anti-stock theft group killed in Pomeroy in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands.
Flags will fly at half-mast at state buildings and missions. The president says this must help promote a violence-free society.
Speaking at a Catholic church service last night. President Zuma said the mining catastrophe was an indication of a deterioration of values.
"When you look at that matter without blaming anyone - it shows that many things have gone wrong in our society - to see people brandishing weapons, giving a clear indication that they are up to something, and people are hurt in the process, that shows that a lot of things have gone wrong within us as the people of South Africa," he said.
Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane will lead the judicial commission of inquiry into the shooting at Marikana.
Other members of the inquiry are North West premier Thandi Modise and the ministers of mineral resources Susan Shabangu, police Nathi Mthethwa, social development Bathabile Dlamini, co-operative governance Richard Baloyi, labour Mildred Oliphant, defence and military veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, health Aaron Motsoaledi, state security Siyabonga Cwele, and Home Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
