Families Of South Africa's "Marikana Massacre" Victims File Civil Suit

Striking mine workers run for cover after police officers open fire outside the Nkageng informal settlement on 16 August, 2012, in Marikana. Photograph: Gallo Images/Getty Images

Families of 37 of the South African miners killed during a 2012 wildcat strike at a mine run by platinum producer Lonmin have filed civil claims against the minister of police, a support group said. The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) said in a statement the families were claiming compensation for the loss of financial support, emotional shock and medical expenses for psychological and psychiatric treatment. In all, 44 people were killed in violence at the Marikana mine triggered by the wildcat stoppage, including 34 strikers gunned down by police in the worst single security incident since the end of apartheid over two decades ago.

Reuters report continues:

"The majority of the deceased workers were the sole breadwinners of their families and supported large extended families on their meagre income. A total of 326 dependants relied on the deceased workers' wages," SERI said.

It said many of them remained "destitute" and "continue to live in unbearable conditions of grinding poverty".

The statement did not say how much compensation was being sought. The claim has been filed in the High Court in Pretoria.

The families are also represented by the Legal Resources Centre and Wits Law Clinic, which is part of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

A long-awaited investigation into the slayings, released in June by President Jacob Zuma, blamed Lonmin, the police and unions for the "horrendous tragedy".