By Barbara Whittle

In August the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) expressed grave concern at the use of live ammunition against workers involved in the strike at Lonmin Mines at Marikana, North West province, as well as shock at the consequent loss of life. The LSSA said that the workers had been victims of an escalating breakdown in conflict resolution, particularly in the mining industry, brought about by stakeholders who placed vested interests over the lives of workers.

LSSA co-chairpersons Krish Govender and Jan Stemmett said: ‘In the age of our constitutional democracy – where we ought to rely on the rule of law to resolve conflicts – it is becoming increasingly difficult to believe that South Africa, with all its great achievements over the past 18 years, has the requisite capability, compassion, will and commitment to resolve the many conflicts that are being waged daily in the streets of our country as a result of failure within political organisations, trade unions, big businesses and communities. Violence, vigilantism, corruption, xenophobia, disrespect for the law and law enforcement agencies, as well as greed for power, influence and wealth are all collectively destroying the values of nation building, patriotism and respect for law and order. These are the warning signs of a failing state.’

The co-chairpersons added that there was a growing need for all the past and present leaders of all stakeholders – including political parties, workers’ unions, non-governmental organisations, religious bodies, gender lobby groups, youth groups, community-based organisations, professional and business organisations, academics with socio-political and economic skills – to come together to find common ground in order to reverse the growing damage to society. ‘The future of South Africa lies in the hands of all its people to once again forge unity, non-racialism, non-sexism, justice, peace and prosperity in a non-exploitative and clean environment and state,’ they said.

The LSSA urged that proper postmortems be carried out on the deceased victims as the process would be of valuable assistance to the judicial commission of inquiry during its investigations.

Compiled by Barbara Whittle, communication manager, Law Society of South Africa, barbara@lssa.org.za

This article was first published in De Rebus in 2012 (Oct) DR 17.