Guards die in burning car
2012-08-12 16:33
Johannesburg - Two security guards were killed when their car was set alight in Nkaneng, near Marikana outside Rustenburg, on Sunday, North West police said.
The killing was linked to an ongoing conflict between two unions which had members on mines in the area, spokesperson Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.
"Investigations as to how the guards were killed are underway and we will provide further details as soon as it becomes available."
Four mineworkers were shot and wounded on Friday and Saturday.
Ngubane said two supporters of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) were shot, allegedly by supporters of the rival Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) on Friday night. The two organisations were reportedly fighting for control at local mines.
Amcu members had earlier marched at the Karee mine on Friday, demanding a 12% salary increase.
"Later the night NUM employees were prevented from going to work. A shooting... took place and two people were wounded."
Ngubane said the Amcu-aligned group gathered at Karee hostel on Saturday, and moved to Nkaneng, where two more NUM members were shot and wounded.
Cases of attempted murder were opened.
In February the two unions clashed over membership at Impala Platinum's mines.
- SAPA
