In August 2012, tensions escalated at the Lonmin Platinum Mine in Marikana, South Africa, where miners were striking for higher wages and improved working conditions. The miners, many of whom were affiliated with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), demanded a salary increase from approximately 4,000 rand to 12,500 rand monthly. As the strike intensified, the miners gathered near the hill where they were met by a heavy police presence. On August 16, a confrontation led to police firing on the group, resulting in mass casualties. In the days following, a total of 47 individuals lost their lives during the violent clashes and subsequent unrest.The incident drew significant attention domestically and internationally, with various groups criticizing the police's use of lethal force. Public sentiment was polarized, as some viewed the police action as an attempt to restore order, while others saw it as an unjust response to peaceful protest. Following the massacre, the South African government faced enormous pressure to conduct an inquiry into the events. The tragedy at Marikana became a symbol of the broader struggles faced by workers in South Africa's mining sector, reflecting issues of inequality, labor rights, and police violence. The aftermath led to debates about economic justice and the need for reforms in labor relations within the country.