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MASSACRE AT MARIKANA: IS THIS 2012 OR 1976?
The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) has expresses its outrage at the death of a reported 30 people in Rustenberg yesterday (Thursday 16 August 2012), and calls for an independent inquiry into the use of force by the police to be established immediately.
Once again, the police have shown that they have not developed the skills and competence needed to safely manage public protest in a constitutional democracy.

Speaking in Johannesburg, CASAC Chairman Dr Sipho Pityana said:
“The photos of the bodies of dead protesters filled me with horror and I was forced to ask myself: Is this 2012 or 1985 or even 1976? Even if the protesters were violent, even if they shot at the police first, it is impossible to think that it was in any way necessary or lawful for the police to then shoot dead so many of the protesters. Understandably, people are talking of a ‘rogue state’ that is descending into utter chaos. Quite apart from the tragic loss of life, South Africa’s international reputation will undoubtedly be harmed.”

Pityana called for President Zuma to constitute an immediate independent inquiry:
“This is the last straw. It is clear that neither the police themselves, nor the Minister for Police, can be relied upon to prevent the excessive use of force by the state. The Minister said the ‘police did their best’. Their ‘best’ was not good enough; it is completely unacceptable that they should lose control and that such a massacre should take place. Clearly, the lessons of the unnecessary and tragic death of Andries Tatane last year have not been learnt. President Zuma must take full political responsibility for
ensuring that the massacre at Marikana is never repeated. Now, the buck must stop at the very top, with the President.”

CASAC further calls upon Parliament to convene an emergency sitting of the National Assembly, to debate the appalling events in Marikana and to determine what form the Inquiry should take, including the option of a full judicial inquiry and, second, whether a Commission should be appointed to investigate and make recommendations on the policing of protest action by the SAPS.