The Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Max Sisulu, has been asked by the Freedom Front Plus for an urgent debate in the public’s interest on the shooting of mineworkers in Marikana, Northwest, by the Police. The debate was asked for by Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), the Parliamentary Leader of the FF Plus.

“This incident has caused shockwaves internationally and damages the image of South Africa. The actions of the Police have given rise to many questions because it appears as if the Police had used maximum force. The actions of the Police and the role which trade unions had played in the incident should be investigated by a judicial commission of inquiry. It has to be established whether the Police had been trained properly for crowd-control and whether the trade unions had incited violence. South Africa cannot afford such incidents,” Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), the chief spokesperson on Police for the Freedom Front Plus said.

LETTER TO THE SPEAKER:

17 August 2012

Dr. M V Sisulu
The Speaker
National Assembly
CAPE TOWN
8000


Honourable Dr. Sisulu,

REQUEST: URGENT DEBATE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST – LONMIN DEATHS

The abovementioned issue has reference.

I hereby request an urgent debate to be held in the National Assembly on the shooting of mineworkers by the SAPS at the Lonmin mine in the Northwest. I am of the opinion that it is in the public’s interest as the actions of the Police have raised a lot of questions, the incident is damaging South Africa’s image internationally, that the economy could be negatively affected by this incident and there are political under-currents in the whole matter.

Your favourable consideration will be highly appreciated.

Thanking you in advance.


Respectfully


PJ Groenewald (MP)