Disconnect between business and state contributed to Marikana massacre

Victims of the Marikana massacre on August 16 2012. Picture: ANTONIO MUCHAVE

Based on growing scholarly literature on corporate irresponsibility, some might perceive this as yet another example of “a corporate bad guy” Others might point to the “systemic” nature of corporate irresponsibility, in which a broader array of actors are also implicated. I paid particular attention to two key aspects of governance. These were the establishment and enforcement of commonly binding rules, and the provision of public goods and services.

The government and the mining companies also emphasised flexibility in the implementation of these ambiguous rules. As the government negotiator highlighted “you don’t want to straitjacket anybody, so there is flexibility in the implementation of the framework”. What’s more, the local state consciously absconded from areas that had expected to be supported by the mining companies. A government representative reportedly told local officials asking for bigger budgets, “You, you are the children of the mine, whatever your needs are, you go and you ask the mine, don’t come here, we have lots of other communities that don’t have mines that look after them.”

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

The Marikana Massacre: As it happened in 2012Much has been said and written about what has become known as the Marikana Massacre. But there were journalists on the ground when it all went down. This is how they reported on the Marikana Massacre in August 2012. Marikana NeverForget
Source: City_Press - 🏆 7. / 72 Read more »

The faces of Marikana: Part IFrom our archives| After years of struggling on the streets of Cape Town doing odd jobs, Mphumzeni Ngxande (38), finally got a break in 2008 when he packed his bags and went to work as a mine worker for Lonmin in North West. NeverForget Marikana
Source: City_Press - 🏆 7. / 72 Read more »

The faces of Marikana: Part IIIKhanare Monesa (36) was looking forward to the birth of his first child. The birth of the child would also coincide with his first wedding anniversary. But these dreams were shattered by a bullet to the left side of his head. NeverForget Marikana
Source: City_Press - 🏆 7. / 72 Read more »

The faces of Marikana: Part IVIn the small Transkei village of Nquba, Mphangeli Thukuza (42) had a big reputation. He was a respected Pondo man with two wives and six children living in a beautiful village home. NeverForget Marikana
Source: City_Press - 🏆 7. / 72 Read more »

The faces of Marikana: Part IIHis first name was Stelega, a word Swazi language speakers use to describe a strike. NeverForget Marikana
Source: City_Press - 🏆 7. / 72 Read more »

The faces of Marikana: Part V'My son was very young, that’s all I know,” said Nosajini Mabiya, Mafolisi Mabiya's (28) heartbroken mother. NeverForget Marikana
Source: City_Press - 🏆 7. / 72 Read more »