South African President Jacob Zuma is alarmed and deeply saddened at the manner in which an industrial dispute at the Lonmin platinum mine in Rustenburg on thursday had degenerated — leading to the tragic death of over 30 people depending on sources, APA learns here Friday. President Zuma said he was shocked and dismayed at this senseless violence. “We believe there is enough space in our democratic order for any dispute to be resolved through dialogue without any breaches of the law or violence.”
He called upon the labour movement and business to work with government to arrest the situation before it deteriorates any further.
” 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,” said while extending condolences to bereaved families.
According to a South African Police Service (SAPS) statement, police had embarked on extensive and unsuccessful negotiations to disarm and disperse a heavily armed group of illegal gatherers at a hilltop close to Lonmin Mine, near Rustenburg in the North West Province. However, police members were viciously attacked by the group, using a variety of weapons, including firearms, the SAPS said. “The police, in order to protect their own lives and in self-defence, were forced to engage the group with force. This resulted in several individuals being fatally wounded, and others injured,” it added.
The crime scene, which covers a vast area, is currently being managed by senior officials from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate and supported by an expert team of detectives and forensic experts.
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Riah Phiyega, and members of her top management are currently at the scene, appraising themselves of the situation, which is still unfolding.
The dispute is said to involve a new breakaway mining workers’ union and an established one, with the police and the mining owners caught in between in efforts to settle the arguments.
