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The Economic Freedom Fighters will be laying criminal charges against Cyril “Workers Murderer” Ramaphosa – as they have referred to him – and others who they believe were key role-players in the Marikana massacre.
This was revealed by party leader Julius Malema at a media briefing held at the party’s headquarters in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, this afternoon. Malema was joined by his deputy, Floyd Shivambu, and secretary-general, Godrich Gardee.
The announcement came a week after President Jacob Zuma released a 600-page report on the findings of the Farlam Commission of Inquiry.
The EFF, along with other opposition parties, came out strongly against the report, saying that justice had not prevailed for those who lost their lives in Marikana.
The EFF said its leaders would head to Marikana police station tomorrow morning to lay criminal charges against the businessmen and police leaders they believed had to answer for their actions:
» Cyril Ramaphosa – on the prima facie case of him conspiring to commit murder of workers;
» Nathi Mthethwa – for conspiring to commit murder of workers in Marikana and celebrating the massacre on behalf of government after the killing;
» Directors of Lonmin – for conspiring to kill workers; not protecting them; and claiming that they could not afford salaries demanded while they were in fact engaged in criminal forms of tax avoidance;
» Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo – for instructing the police tactical response team to kill workers; and
» Riyah Phiyega – for conspiring to kill workers and instructing the tactical response team to kill workers.
When asked if Malema’s personal vendetta was playing a role in the party’s decision to prosecute him, Malema said “no”.
“We are not targeting Ramaphosa. It is only through a criminal investigation that a proper and thorough investigation can be done. If he is charged through the Criminal Procedure Act (Section 205) then we can get a lot more information through his cellphone conversations, emails and other electronics around that period.
“There is a worse story to be told from Ramaphosa’s side. Only police can unearth that information, not a commission. We are convinced that there is dangerous information hidden in his electronics.”
Malema also said that he did not trust the national director of public prosecutions and was willing to take the matter up privately if need be.
“I don’t trust Zuma’s processes; it is [the] buying of time which will [result in a] whitewash and then the matter will be forgotten. This matter will not be forgotten.
“We want the [director of public prosecutions] to issue a certificate of nonprosecution so that private prosecution will kick in.”
The party added that it would be accountable to future generations and therefore its leaders had to pursue the matter.
“Where were you when people were murdered; how can you call yourself a revolutionary party?”
The party has also written to Parliament requesting a debate on the matter.
