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Miners killed at South Africa's Lonmin Marikana mine | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Police in South Africa have opened fire during clashes with striking workers at the Marikana platinum mine, leaving at least 12 people dead, witnesses say. | |
Police opened fire after miners carrying machetes, clubs and spears refused to disarm, eyewitnesses said. | |
A witness told the BBC he saw 18 bodies on the ground after the shooting. | |
The mine, owned by Lonmin, has been at the centre of a violent pay dispute, exacerbated by tensions between two rival trade unions. | |
Ten people had previously died in violence since the strike began last Friday. | |
The striking miners had gathered on a rocky hill overlooking Marikana, the third-largest platinum mine in the world. | |
Union leaders and police had tried in vain to disperse the crowd, some of whom said they were prepared to die on the hill. | |
During the clashes, missiles - thought to be either petrol bombs or grenades - were thrown at police, who responded by opening fire, eyewitnesses said. | During the clashes, missiles - thought to be either petrol bombs or grenades - were thrown at police, who responded by opening fire, eyewitnesses said. |
Reports said a group of miners had approached police lines before the shooting began. | Reports said a group of miners had approached police lines before the shooting began. |
One witness, Molaole Montsho, of the South African news agency Sapa, told the BBC police had first used tear gas in an attempt to disperse the miners. | One witness, Molaole Montsho, of the South African news agency Sapa, told the BBC police had first used tear gas in an attempt to disperse the miners. |
"The police threatened with them water from the water cannon, fired tear gas and stun grenades. And then in the commotion - we were about 800m (2,600ft) from the scene - we heard gunshots that lasted for about two minutes," he said. | "The police threatened with them water from the water cannon, fired tear gas and stun grenades. And then in the commotion - we were about 800m (2,600ft) from the scene - we heard gunshots that lasted for about two minutes," he said. |
He also said he had counted 18 bodies lying on the ground after the gunfire, but could not tell whether they were dead or alive. | He also said he had counted 18 bodies lying on the ground after the gunfire, but could not tell whether they were dead or alive. |
'Illegal gatherings' | 'Illegal gatherings' |
The police ministry acknowledged that there had been deaths, but defended the police's actions. | The police ministry acknowledged that there had been deaths, but defended the police's actions. |
"To protest is a legal and constitutional right of any citizen," spokesman Zweli Mnisi told the AFP news agency in a text message. | "To protest is a legal and constitutional right of any citizen," spokesman Zweli Mnisi told the AFP news agency in a text message. |
"However, these rights do not imply that people should be barbaric, intimidating and hold illegal gatherings. We had a situation where people who were armed to the teeth attacked and killed other." | "However, these rights do not imply that people should be barbaric, intimidating and hold illegal gatherings. We had a situation where people who were armed to the teeth attacked and killed other." |
President Jacob Zuma said he was "shocked and dismayed at this senseless violence". | President Jacob Zuma said he was "shocked and dismayed at this senseless violence". |
"We call upon the labour movement and business to work with government to arrest the situation before it deteriorates any further," said Mr Zuma. | "We call upon the labour movement and business to work with government to arrest the situation before it deteriorates any further," said Mr Zuma. |
"I have instructed law enforcement agencies to do everything possible to bring the situation under control and to bring the perpetrators of violence to book." | "I have instructed law enforcement agencies to do everything possible to bring the situation under control and to bring the perpetrators of violence to book." |
The recent violence was initially thought to have been triggered by a turf war between the long-established National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the newly-formed Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), which is more militant. | The recent violence was initially thought to have been triggered by a turf war between the long-established National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the newly-formed Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), which is more militant. |
However, the AMCU has since demanded a pay rise of 12,000 rand ($1,500; £930) per month. | However, the AMCU has since demanded a pay rise of 12,000 rand ($1,500; £930) per month. |
Lonmin said in a statement on Thursday that the strike was illegal and that any striking workers who did not return to work by Friday would be sacked. | Lonmin said in a statement on Thursday that the strike was illegal and that any striking workers who did not return to work by Friday would be sacked. |
The company said it had missed six days of production as a result of the unrest, and estimated it would lose around 2% of its normal yearly output of saleable platinum. The company's share price dropped by more than 6% on Thursday on the London Stock Exchange. | The company said it had missed six days of production as a result of the unrest, and estimated it would lose around 2% of its normal yearly output of saleable platinum. The company's share price dropped by more than 6% on Thursday on the London Stock Exchange. |
The violence has shocked South Africans, with many finding the scenes reminiscent of how the apartheid regime dealt with protests, the BBC's Milton Nkosi in Johannesburg reports. | The violence has shocked South Africans, with many finding the scenes reminiscent of how the apartheid regime dealt with protests, the BBC's Milton Nkosi in Johannesburg reports. |
Are you in the area? Have you been affected? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected? Send us your comments using the form below. |