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Family Lodges Claim Against Mining Companies for Rape & Murder of Binkey Mosiane

- Lee-Anne Bruce

The Mosiane family has lodged a civil claim against Anglo American Platinum Ltd (Anglo) and Kern Industrial Enterprises (Pty) Ltd (Kern) in relation to the rape and murder of Binkey Mosiane in 2012.

Binkey Mosiane was employed by Rustenburg Platinum Mines Limited — a subsidiary of Anglo as an underground mine worker. In 2012 she was raped and murdered underground and in 2014, Tutu Oliphant, an employee of Kern was found guilty of those crimes.  The damages claim is brought by Mrs Mary Mosiane, Binkey Mosiane’s mother, assisted by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS), on behalf of herself and Binkey Mosiane’s daughter.  It consists of claims for:

  1. Medical expenses for Binkey Mosiane’s mother and daughter;
  2. Loss of support for Binkey Mosiane’s daughter and
  3. General damages for emotional and psychological harm for Binkey Mosiane’s mother and daughter.

For the past four years as part of the Binkey Mosiane Campaign, the 1in9 Campaign and Workers’ World Media Productions have monitored, advocated and brought to media attention the details of the criminal case and the importance of holding Anglo and Kern accountable for the safety of women workers underground.

“This case is only one example of the large scale war waged on women’s bodies on a day-to-day basis in this country; the lodging of the claim comes at a time when the South African society as a whole is forced to awaken to the realities of the violence we face as women in both our public and private lives” says Mpumi Mathabela, Campaign Coordinator for the 1in9 Campaign.

“Violence against women is not limited to the streets or the home but also takes place in the workplace,” says Dibuseng Phaloane of Workers World Media Productions.  “Employers should be mindful of society’s construction and take steps of ensure that women are safe in the workplace.”

CALS hopes that a resolution can be found for the family that avoids the need for further harm.  It is also hoped that the Department of Mineral Resources and mining companies take steps to ensure the safety of women, who are incorporated into the core functions of the mining sector, in terms of the Mining Charter.

For more information, please contact:

  • Dibuseng Phaloane
  • Workers’ World Media Productions
  • dibuseng@wwmp.org.za
  • 072 343 1950
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