Marikana documentary wins Emmy award

The Democratic Alliance has called for the SABC to air the documentary to give all South Africans the opportunity to see it.

Directed by local filmmaker Rehad Desai and produced by Uhuru Productions, Miners Shot Down tells the story of the 34 miners killed on 16th August 2012 during protests at the Lonmin mine in Markiana.

The ANC initially congratulated the crew behind “Miners Shot Down”, a documentary about the Marikana massacre, after it won an worldwide Emmy this week. “Despite repeated requests from both the filmmakers and widows of the Marikana miners, the SABC has refused to air it, which raises serious questions about whose interests they are trying to protect”.

Ms Muthambi and the SABC board are expected to appear before Parliament’s portfolio committee on communications to account for the recent suspension of its CEO‚ Frans Matlala.

Before the Emmy award, the film won awards at Film Festivals in seven other countries, including South Africa, but Desai lamented the fact that it had still not been shown on local television. (Miners Shot Down) is an important story and an ongoing one.

The SABC dismissed claims it had denied the public an opportunity to watch the Marikana documentary.

“The SABC forgets that its mandate is to broadcast content that is in the public interest‚ and not in the African National Congress’s interest”.

The SABC says proper protocol must be followed before the broadcaster will consider airing the documentary.