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The IFP would like to send its condolences to the families of the miners
that were killed in the Lonmin massacre.

In the wake of this tragic event, what is abundantly clear is that the
leaders of our government are not listening to the concerns that are
consistently brought to light by members of this house and society at large.

The SAPS is inadequately trained to deal with many forms of violent protest
and some of the members do not even qualify to carry firearms and yet we
expect them to deal with violent situations effectively. Yet our calls for
changes in police training seem to have fallen on deaf ears.

Unions are said to be representing the interests of their members, yet how
can the secretary general of NUM earn over R1.4 million per annum while the
people they represent struggle to get a decent salary? From COSATU to SADTU,
unions are holding our country to ransom, impacting the state of the economy
and destroying the future of our children. And yet the ruling party still
claims that it is doing a great job.

The lack of leadership in all spheres of our government is destroying the
very fabric of our society. This massacre is an example of the consequences
of absent leadership; where we hear how great the government is doing, but
the evidence on the ground is shockingly different from the reports that are
boasted about in this house.

Will it take another massacre before our government listens to the
grievances of our people? I sincerely hope not.