"The needless slaughter of 34 miners at the Marikana Platinum Mine in South Africa could have been avoided if the highhandedness of the Management and the Security Agencies had been kept within limits," writes B.D. Boadi in a press release on behalf of WACAM.

The release goes on to note that the incident resulting in death was not the first time that the miners had asked for a pay raise, and it will not be the last. According to WACAM, unleashing military force, upon the very people who fund them, for such slight provocation should be condemned. There must be a thorough investigation to determine if the open fire was actually in self-defence, as claimed by South African Police Chief, Riah Phiyega.

WACAM also condemns Ghana's Eastern Regional Security Council for a similar use of soldiers against the people of Saamang, who were protesting against the destruction of their source of drinking water. Examples of excessive force such as these are too common in Ghana and other parts of the world.

The release finishes, "This and other intimidating tactics applied by Governments in Africa in connivance with multinational mining companies against their own people should stop forthwith."