Striking miners clash with cops
2012-10-14 07:54
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2012-10-10 08:28
Speaking to striking miners in the Free State, Expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema said unions had become sellouts. Watch. WATCH
Johannesburg - Sacked and striking Anglo America Platinum mine workers petrol burned a police vehicle during an overnight protest near the firm's South Africa operation in Rustenburg, police said on Saturday.
A group of about 1 000 miners marched on Anglo's Khomanani shaft, before clashing with the police who tried to disperse them.
"The group resisted and we had to use teargas and rubber bullets to disperse them," said police spokesperson Thulani Ngubane.
"They retaliated with petrol bombs and set alight a police vehicle," he said.
Four people were arrested after the clashes, and will appear in court on Monday.
Ngubane said the workers intended to burn down the mine installations.
About 12 000 miners were last week sacked by the company after embarking on an illegal strike over pay increases.
They have ignored the dismissals and vowed not to let up on the strike.
On Friday the firm announced that it had lost $126m in revenues due to the month-long illegal strike.
Work stoppages in the continent's economic powerhouse started in August with workers downing tools at Lonmin platinum mine.
Since then, more than 50 people have been killed in rolling strikes that have frequently turned violent, including clashes with police.
- SAPA
