Guards attacked with pangas at mine - police
2013-02-18 17:18
Johannesburg - Police said on Monday that at least 13 people were injured, including four security guards who were hackedwith pangas, in a labour fight at an Anglo American Platinum mine in Rustenburg.
At least five workers were also shot in the conflict sparked by a turf battle between rival unions at the company also known as Amplats, police said.
It was believed one worker at the Siphumelele shaft had been killed, according to eNCA.
The Amplats Workers Committee said five National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) members were shot in a clash with mine security, according to Sapa.
One of the workers was shot in the head, the committee said.
Initial reports suggested the latest shooting was a result of a turf war between the main National Union of Mineworker (NUM) and the smaller upstart Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), AFP reported.
NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka confirmed the clashes but did not have details.
"I am not aware about the fatalities, I am aware that there have been injured," he told AFP.
Amplats spokesperson Mpumi Sithole told AFP the company was "currently gathering the details".
The incident took place in the area which was at the heart of labour unrest that rocked the country last year and left over 50 people dead.
Amplats in January raised the ire of labour and the government when it said it planned to mothball two South African mines, sell another and cut 14 000 jobs.
Meanwhile, shares of the company tumbled more than 5% on Monday following reports of the unrest.
Shares of Amplats were down nearly 5.16% at R440.99 at 16:34.
