Here is what our caring church says from the Justice and Peace National office as far as Marikana Massacre is concerned, "POLICE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE SHOULD INVESTIGATE LACK OF COMPENSATION FOR INJURED MINERS FROM MARIKANA MASSACRE

The police portfolio committee in Parliament should investigate claims that injured miners from Marikana massacre have not yet been compensated by the government, SACBC Justice and Peace Commission said on Thursday.
“We are shocked to learn that, five years on, no compensation has been awarded to the families of the dead and those injured during the Marikana tragedy. We ask the police portfolio committee to exert more pressure and demand greater accountability on the matter. We call upon the government to expedite legitimate claims so that the victims of this tragedy experience some form of healing.”
Bishop Gabuza has also said that it is unacceptable that, five years after the massacre, nobody has been arrested and prosecuted. “We urge the National Prosecuting Authority to fast track the Marikana justice. Justice delayed is justice denied.”
On Wednesday, National Prosecuting Authority announced that legal proceedings against the 72 police officers involved in the killing of 34 miners during the Marikana Massacre has not yet started.
“Ideally, responsibility for the massacre should not stop with the police officers who pulled the trigger. We lament lack of accountability on the part of the senior government officials and the Lonmin leadership. There will be no healing on Marikana tragedy in so far as there is no public apology and real accountability from the senior government officials. ”
SACBC Justice and Peace Commission has also called on the political parties to desist from using Marikana for scoring political points. "We ask the government to consider the appeal made in various quarters to institute 16 August as a public holiday. At the same time, for genuine healing to happen among the victims of this tragedy, we appeal to all political parties not to use Marikana tragedy as a political football."

For further information, kindly contact:

Bishop Abel Gabuza.
Phone number: 053 831 1861 or 053 831 1862.
Email: dagabuza@gmail.com
Archbishop William Slattery: Cell: 0834685473

This touched me as I was reading an article this morning. Sadly it didn't have a title whatsoever, here it goes,

*There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind.*

*She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her.*

*She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'*

*One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.*

*He asked her,’ Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?'*

*The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.*

*Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'*

Morality of the story!!!

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life is nothing but a Gift, before you say an unkind word. Think of someone who can't speak. Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat. As it is cold almost in all parts of the country today, you are under the shelter but still complain, think of the homeless.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to ALMIGHTY GOD for a companion and also those mourning their beloved ones.

Today before you complain about life, Think of someone who died too young. Before you complain about your children. Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before whining about the distance you drive. Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet. And when you are tired and complain about your job think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down put a smile on your face and thank GOD you're alive and still around.

And before you think of closing your Whatsapp messenger, Please think of sending this to as many people as you like...It might change someone's thinking towards Life.

Have a blessed filled weekend ahead and
Remain blessed.

STATEMENT OF SACBC JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT TO CONVENE A JOB SUMMIT TO DISCUSS UNEMPLOYMENT CRISIS
We have taken note of the recent unemployment figures by Statistics South Africa, as well as the recent research findings on unemployment by the University of South Africa (UNISA) and Momentum.
We are deeply worried about the levels of retrenchment and unemployment in our country.
All the sectors of our economy are shedding jobs and expanding the ranks of the unemployed at an accelerated and alarming rate. In the mining sector alone, more than 70‚000 mine workers have lost their jobs in the past two years. We feel the pain of the thousands of South Africans who are unemployed and those who are victims of retrenchments.

The current retrenchment and unemployment trends demand a decisive and strategic action to reverse the escalation in the job crisis. We therefore join the calls for a job summit to discuss the ongoing retrenchments and the measures to expand job creation in the tough economic climate. The summit should be convened as a matter of urgency.
We also demand a moratorium on all retrenchments in all sectors, while awaiting the outcomes of the job summit.
The job summit should not shy away from discussing and pursuing job creation through macro-economic reforms and mitigation of the current political uncertainties. Our country needs a macro-economic framework that it is increasingly labour-absorbing and equitable in its distribution patterns.
We believe that efforts to cushion the effects of unemployment crisis on vulnerable families should be strengthened through expanded and sustained access to social protection. We therefore condemn the delays in the implementation of the unemployment insurance amendment bill which has been sent back to the Parliament for corrections.

For further information, kindly contact:

Bishop Abel Gabuza.
Phone number: 053 831 1861 or 053 831 1862.
Email: dagabuza@gmail.com​
Archbishop William Slattery: Cell: 0834685473