The South African Police Service (SAPS) is the national police force of the Republic of South Africa. Its 1,165 police stations in South Africa are divided according to the provincial borders, and a Provincial Commissioner is appointed in each province. The nine Provincial Commissioners report directly to the National Commissioner. The head office is in the Wachthuis Building in Pretoria.
South African police fatally shoot 34 miners and wound 78 more during an industrial dispute at Marikana near Rustenburg.
On August 16, in the year 2012, South African police fatally shoot 34 miners and wound 78 more during an industrial dispute at Marikana near Rustenburg. This event is recorded as a Historical Events event in the history of August 16, a notable event in this corner of history.
Key Facts
- This event took place on August 16, 2012 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Historical Events event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 3 Wikipedia articles.
- Wikipedia source last updated on 2 July 2026.
On This Date in History
This article draws on content from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More on August 16
1906
120 years ago
The 8.2 Mw Valparaíso earthquake hits central Chile, killing 3,882 people.
Seismic magnitude scales are used to describe the overall strength or "size" of an earthquake. These are distinguished from seismic intensity scales that categorize the intensity …
The 8.2 Mw Valparaíso earthquake hits central Chile, killing 3,882 people.
1900
The Battle of Elands River during the Second Boer War ends after a 13-day siege is lifted by the British. The battle…
The Battle of Elands River was an engagement of the Second Boer War that took place between 4 and 16 August 1900 in western Transvaal. The battle was fought at Brakfontein Drift n…
The Battle of Elands River during the Second Boer War ends after a 13-day siege is lifted by the British. The battle…
1896
130 years ago
Skookum Jim Mason, George Carmack and Dawson Charlie discover gold in a tributary of the Klondike River in Canada,…
Keish, also known as James Mason and by the nickname Skookum Jim Mason, was a member of the Tagish First Nation in what became the Yukon Territory of Canada. He was born near Benn…
Skookum Jim Mason, George Carmack and Dawson Charlie discover gold in a tributary of the Klondike River in Canada,…
1891
135 years ago
The Basilica of San Sebastian, Manila, the first all-steel church in Asia, is officially inaugurated and blessed.
The Minor Basilica and Parish of Saint Sebastian, also known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Saint Sebastian and commonly known as San Sebastian Church or San Sebasti…
The Basilica of San Sebastian, Manila, the first all-steel church in Asia, is officially inaugurated and blessed.
1876
150 years ago
Richard Wagner's Siegfried, the penultimate opera in his Ring cycle, is premiered at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus.
Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, theatre director, essayist, and conductor, best known for his operas, although his mature works are often referred to as music dramas…
Richard Wagner's Siegfried, the penultimate opera in his Ring cycle, is premiered at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus.
1870
Franco-Prussian War: The Battle of Mars-la-Tour is fought, resulting in a Prussian victory.
The Franco-Prussian War, occasionally known as the Franco-German War, and sometimes referred to in France as the War of 1870, was a conflict between France and the North German Co…
Franco-Prussian War: The Battle of Mars-la-Tour is fought, resulting in a Prussian victory.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the discussion.