‘Cleansing’ ceremony for Marikana site

718 14-05-2013 Lonmin striking workers chanting slogans while starting to gather next to the koppie where 34 people were gunned down last year in Vonderkop, Marikana. Picture: Tiro Ramatlhatse

718 14-05-2013 Lonmin striking workers chanting slogans while starting to gather next to the koppie where 34 people were gunned down last year in Vonderkop, Marikana. Picture: Tiro Ramatlhatse

Published Jun 13, 2013

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Rustenburg - The families of mineworkers killed in a clash with police in Marikana will conduct a cleansing ceremony of the site, the Bojanala municipality said on Thursday.

The event was expected to be held on Monday afternoon at the hill where miners gathered before the shooting.

“Family members of the deceased and those who were injured, from as far as the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and neighbouring countries, such as Lesotho, Malawi, and Swaziland, are expected to attend the ceremony,” the municipality said in a statement.

“Religious leaders from different denominations will later conduct a spiritual cleansing ceremony processes, after the ritual and cultural activities have been earlier performed by the respective affected family members.”

Police shot dead 34 striking Lonmin mineworkers in Marikana on August 16. Ten people, including two police officers, were killed in the preceding week.

Bojanala mayor Louis Diremelo said in the statement people needed to be calm and stable for the ceremony.

“Let's peacefully allow space for families and relatives to perform what they believe will heal their scars and emotions created by this tragic incident.” - Sapa

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