2012-09-18 21:07
Johannesburg – ANC MP Rose Sonto has withdrawn a remark that Parliament’s portfolio committee on mineral resources did not dare visit the troubled Lonmin platinum mine in North West.
He apologised on Tuesday for saying last week: “We can’t go and talk to a crowd with suicidal tendencies.”
Sonto is a member of the portfolio committee.
He said his statement was taken out of context and opportunistically used by the detractors of the African National Congress.
“I have since carefully reflected on this statement and have realised that it was unfortunate, and stands contrary to the well-documented position of the ANC on the Marikana situation.”
On 16 August 34 workers were killed when police opened fire on them, and 78 were wounded. Afterwards, 270 workers were arrested.
Another man was found dead last week, bringing the number of people killed since the beginning of the strike to 45.
Sonto said he agreed with the ANC in Parliament’s stance on Marikana.
“I therefore unconditionally withdraw my statement and apologise for the embarrassment the statement may have caused to the movement.”
– SAPA
Continued here:
ANC MP withdraws Marikana remark