Archbishop on Marikana shooting

Statement by Archbishop Buti Tlhagale, Archbishop of Johannesburg and President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

The Catholic Bishops of Southern Africa deplore the escalation of violence in the North West Province. The senseless loss of life especially through wanton violence is always a tragedy and needs to be condemned in the strongest terms. The actions of the Trade Unions, LONMIN and the Police need to be investigated. We join the call for a Judicial Inquiry into the circumstances that led to this tragedy including the living and working conditions at this mining operation.

We offer to assist in the trauma counselling and community healing that will be necessary for this community and the broader South African Community. We cannot allow this violence to escalate and become a normal part of our society.

There are effective mechanisms available for facilitating and brokering amicable settlements to disputes of whatever nature and we encourage all the parties concerned in this tragic situation to commit to acquiring these skill to ensure that similar unfortunate incidences do not occur again.