IOL Logo
Sunday, June 8, 2025

#RememberingMarikana: The man in the green blanket

The Star's Poloko Tau remembers how the man in the green blanket, who had been one of his sources, was shot dead at Lonmin's Marikana mine in 2012.

News South Africa North West
Poloko Tau|Published

#RememberMarikana: ‘I lost my baby brother’

Days after the Marikana massacre, Poloko Tau spoke to the brother of the Mgcineni Noki, “the man in the green blanket”.

News South Africa North West
Poloko Tau|Published

NUM stunned by Amplats’ jobs plan

The National Union of Mineworkers says it will challenge Amplats’ plan to terminate more than 6 000 jobs.

Business Report Economy
Poloko Tau|Published

‘Sushi King’ quits EFF leadership

Kenny Kunene has resigned from the party leadership of Julius Malema's EFF with immediate effect.

News
Poloko Tau|Published

‘Marikana effect’ will linger

Some claim the bloody day shifted wage negotiations in the mining sector, writes Poloko Tau.

The Star News
Poloko Tau|Published

A day underground at Marikana mine

Having covered the Lonmin miners’ wage strike in Marikana, Poloko Tau wanted to experience “real mining”.

News South Africa North West
Poloko Tau|Published

Cosatu, NUM concerned over mine killings

Cosatu is concerned that the signing of a framework agreement for a sustainable mining industry was doing little to quell killings.

News
Poloko Tau|Published

Rubber bullets fly as service protest turns violent

Following years of “empty promises”, Protea South residents say frustration over lack of service delivery drove them to the streets.

News
Poloko Tau|Published

‘What happened to our millions?’

Mining firms have paid millions to the platinum-rich community of Bapo Ba Mogale - but the locals say they haven’t seen a cent.

News Politics
Poloko Tau|Published

Cops jump in to stop ANC-EFF clash

A brief altercation has marked yet another meeting between Economic Freedom Fighters and ANC supporters.

News Politics
Poloko Tau|Published

ANC in Tlokwe has its work cut out

The “divided house” that is the ANC in Tlokwe will have to fight to regain its majority in the coming municipal by-elections.

News Politics
Poloko Tau|Published

Ousted Tlokwe mayor to get salary

The ousted Tlokwe mayor was due to be paid his full salary – despite being voted out at the municipality’s council meeting.

News Politics
Poloko Tau|Published

Marchers lament ‘racist’ university

Labour federation Cosatu and ANC-aligned unions have called for more powers for Education Minister Blade Nzimande.

News Politics
Poloko Tau|Published

Premier halts public funds’ abuse

Matlosana municipality - which is under financial administration - has been forced to cancel a multimillion-rand soccer event.

News Politics
Poloko Tau|Published

Eskom workers warn of strike power problems

UNIONS representing Eskom workers said members have displayed a big appetite for a strike with extensive industrial action that could create power supply problems.

News Africa
Poloko Tau|Published

Cosas rues creating ‘red ant’ Malema

Cosas has denounced its former president Julius Malema and apologised for producing a “rebel” like him.

News
Poloko Tau|Published

Little excitement as DA mayor sings

The DA received a lukewarm reception during a walkabout at a Tlokwe taxi rank in the North West.

News Politics
Poloko Tau|Published

Threat to municipalities’ labour deal

A groundbreaking multi-year agreement municipalities scored with its workers last year could fall flat.

Business Report Economy
Poloko Tau|Published

Axed councillors give ANC a stern warning

Some of the expelled Tlokwe ANC councillors could challenge their former party in the upcoming by-elections.

News Africa
Poloko Tau|Published

ANC gambles by axing councillors

By expelling its councillors at the troubled Tlokwe local municipality, the ANC has automatically opened up nine council seats.

News Politics
Poloko Tau|Published

ANC shuts door on Tlokwe members

The axe has fallen on a group of ANC councillors who defied the party and teamed up with the DA in voting out their mayor.

News Africa
Poloko Tau|Published

Tlokwe councillors ‘bring shame to ANC’

The ANC has threatened to discipline its defiant councillors in the Tlokwe municipality, after the ANC mayor was again voted out.

News Politics
Poloko Tau|Published

ANC happy to appoint ‘failed’ mayor as MEC

The ANC in the North West has shrugged off criticism of former mayor Manketsi Tlhape’s appointment as an MEC.

News Africa
Poloko Tau|Published

Outcry as ‘bad’ ex-mayor gets MEC post

The appointment of Manketsi Tlhape as a North West MEC has been slammed by those citing her bad leadership record as a mayor.

News Politics
Poloko Tau|Published

Millions fail to mend potholes

Driving between Koster and Lichtenburg in North West is tough. For residents, this has been a daily experience for years.

News Africa
Poloko Tau|Published