Marikana Massacre 16 August 2012. On 16 August 2012, the South African Police Service (SAPS) opened fire on a crowd of striking mineworkers at Marikana, in the North West Province. The police killed 34 mineworkers, and left 78 seriously injured. Following the open fire assault - 250 of the miners were arrested.
The impact of Marikana. Economy. Mining is an important sector in the South African economy. It had been reported that in 2012 it brought in $21bn, or 5.5% of GDP and 38% of all South African exports. An internal memorandum from Lonmin officials shows that in July the company knew it was paying its rock drill operators less than other companies ...