Violent protests at mine - worker killed
2012-02-16 22:47
Johannesburg - Rioters trying to shut down production at a platinum mine have killed one person, police said Thursday.
The miner's body was found Thursday morning at the Impala Platinum's Rustenburg mine, police spokesperson Thulani Ngubane said.
Authorities believe the man was killed while attempting to go to work amid violent protests by thousands of miners who were recently laid off after their strike for higher pay was declared illegal.
Ngubane said the victim had been beaten, stabbed and stripped of his clothes.
Police are calling in reinforcements after a day of violence and looting that ended with more than 100 arrests. Two police officers were hurt, one seriously.
More trouble is feared on Friday, Ngubane said, calling on mining management and unions to resolve the dispute.
"We can police all we want. We can provide up to 1 000 police," Ngubane said.
But "policing alone is not going to solve the problem."
- AP
