Bicameralism

1. Introduction
South Africa has a bicameral Parliament (two Houses) supported by a joint administration. The National Assembly is the House directly elected by the voters, while the National Council of Provinces is elected by the provinces and represents them to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of government. These two houses of assembly are responsible for the passing, monitoring and implementation of the constitutional statutes. On August 16 2012, 34 people, mostly employed by Lonmin platinum mines, were killed after police opened fire on striking miners. The strike, which had begun on August 9 over a wage dispute, was marred by intimidation and violence. Constitutional statutes (Human rights) were violated by the South African police service when they open fire at the mine works resulting in 34 people being killed and 84 injured. The killing at Marikana had negative impact on the sociological, political, psychological, business, education and cultural life of the mine worker, institutions that were involved and the life of the deceased families. This essay will provide relevant literature and examples that will substantiate arguments showing how human rights were violated at the Marikana strike. Also an analysis will be given to check if South Africa Bicameralism has failed its citizens.
2. Definition of Terms
2.1 Human Rights: According to the Human Rights Commission Act of 1994 “human rights is any basic right or freedom to which all human beings are entitled and in whose exercise a government may not interfere (including rights to life and liberty as well as freedom of thought and expression and equality before the law. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Chapter 2 Bill of rights is the cornerstone of democracy in South Africa. It enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. The state must respect, protect, promote and...