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Amcu head Joseph Mathunjwa. Picture by PUXLEY MAKGATHO.

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The president of Amcu wanted to go back and die with his dead colleagues when he saw them fall during police fire at Lonmin's Marikana mine, he said

"I told them to leave...I pleaded, I pleaded," Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) president Joseph Mathunjwa told reporters in Johannesburg.

Tears rolled down his cheeks as he recounted the events that led to the deaths of over 30 protesters in a clash with police on a hill near the mine on Thursday.

He said workers had earlier refused to leave, vowing to stay on the hill even if they were killed.

"We got in our cars and left... After a few minutes the phone rang [about the shooting].

"I wanted to turn back and go and die with my comrades," said Mathunjwa.

Using a handkerchief to wipe his eyes, he said Amcu leaders went to the hilltop, where the protesters had gathered, before the shooting without a police or security escort, or any supervision.

"I pleaded with them: 'The writing is on the wall, they are going to kill you'," he said.

Police opened fire on the protesters, many of whom were armed, on Thursday afternoon while trying to disperse them.

The police ministry said 34 people were believed to have been killed. The National Union of Mineworkers said 36 people had died.

Another 10 people -- including two police officers, two security guards and three NUM shop stewards -- have been killed in separate incidents since the start of an illegal strike last Friday.

Mathunjwa said he pleaded with the workers twice to leave the hilltop, near the mine where workers had gathered, but they refused.

"They wanted R12,500 [a month]," he said.

Comments

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Fri May 24 11:11:47 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 17, 2012

Papage

O legwala, you can go back now, do it alone, let us see. you are a corward and let me remind you "Corwards die many times before their death". your day is coming.
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Aug 17, 2012

RobinH

Oh bulls!t man. You lie. Else hey, you're welcome to go in there, but with respect, you're probably terrified.
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Aug 17, 2012

Papage

Whose mine is this? can someone tell us who the shareholders are? maybe that can answer lots of questions
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Aug 17, 2012

januswanus

THAT'S THE GUY WHO MUST ACCOUNT.
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Aug 17, 2012

Papage

Shoot yourself and follow them, lets see Corward!
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Aug 17, 2012

MommaC

Papage

Lonmin is a publicly listed company. Their shareholders are people from all around the world, including SA. Many of the pension funds and money management funds use stocks for investment.
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Aug 17, 2012

KatakataEmaotoAditshepe

@RobinH

Oh bulls!t man. You lie. Else hey, you're welcome to go in there, but with respect, you're probably terrified.
=============================================
He's not terrified,what do u know about comrades meneer.

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Aug 17, 2012

Budapat

come on Mathunjwa man, you failed those workers or miners to be correct, if you were a true leader you should have stayed with them on the hill top seeing that you knew they were gonna be KILLED. liar!!
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Aug 17, 2012

KEKGATHETSE

they refused your call to leave. please how can you call yourself a leader. a leader has followers. you led nobody away from death. in fact you jump ship captain.
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Aug 17, 2012

Galfrend

You can still killl yourself......
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