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The African National Congress welcomes the decision of President Jacob Zuma to appoint a Ministerial Task Team to assist the Marikana tragedy deceased families with funeral arrangements including transport, identification of bodies, transportation and counseling services for all those who affected. We also welcome the decision by the President to declare a week of mourning starting tomorrow and the flying of our national flags at half mast as a befitting gesture to allow the nation to reflect and support the affected families. This is a confirmation of government that cares for its people.

We also encouraged by the decision by Shanduka and Lonmin to pledge financial support for the victims. We believe that this gesture will go a long way in relieving financial pressures to the families of the deceased and injured. We commend the South African media for the manner in which they reported on this unfortunate and tragic incident. They managed to highlight pertinent issues without apportioning blame to any parties.

The ANC wants to thank the mineworkers and the people of Marikana for having heeded the call for calm and reflection despite attempts by agent provocateurs who wanted to undermine the call for calm. We call on all our structures, our communities, political formations, faith based organisations and as well as non-governmental organisations to act in a true South African spirit by working with the Ministerial Task Team to assist the families in accessing governmental support and to facilitate whatever help that will be necessary. We believe that our Parliamentary Constituency Offices wil also play a crucial role to advise, support and coordinate government led support to affected families.

We again call for continued calm and cooperation by those affected including the mine workers and their unions, mine management, police and the community of Marikana.