President Jacob Zuma will leave Mozambique, where he is attending a SADC summit, to visit Rustenburg, where more than 30 people were shot dead after a clash with police
“Zuma is to cut short his attendance of the 32nd SADC Summit in Maputo, Mozambique, in order to visit Rustenburg this afternoon,” spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.
Those killed were among a group of protesters from Lonmin’s Marikana mine, who went on strike last Friday.
Maharaj said Zuma had asked Southern African Development Community chairman, President Armando Emilio Guebuza of Mozambique, to excuse him so that he could return to South Africa in the wake of Thursday’s deadly shooting.
“The president is concerned about the violent nature of the protest, especially given that the Constitution and labour laws allow enough avenues to deal with issues, and is sympathetic to calls for a commission of inquiry,” Maharaj said.
Police ministry spokesman Zweli Mnisi said that the final death toll had yet to be confirmed, but that “over thirty” people were known to have been killed.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said 36 people had died.
Another 10 people, including police officers and security guards, have died in separate incidents since unrest at the mine began last Friday.
The protests are believed to be related to union rivalry between the NUM and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union.
The striking workers have also demanded higher wages.
PROBE SHOOTINGS: AMCU
President Jacob Zuma must order a probe into the shooting deaths of more than 30 striking Lonmin mineworkers on a hilltop in Rustenburg, Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said on Friday.
“It is with great regret... and shock... that this [protest] resulted in a loss of lives,” said Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) president Joseph Mathunjwa.
He said the killings could have been avoided and called on the nation to mourn those who died.
Amcu would assist with funeral arrangements where it could.
The union believed the week-long labour protest should have been treated with sensitivity.
He began a news briefing in Johannesburg by asking that a moment’s silence be observed.
Amcu and the National Union of Mineworkers are believed to be in a wrangle over union membership at the platinum mine.
Zuma quits SADC to visit 'bloodbath mine'
President Jacob Zuma will leave Mozambique, where he is attending a SADC summit, to visit Rustenburg, where more than 30 people were shot dead after a clash with police
“Zuma is to cut short his attendance of the 32nd SADC Summit in Maputo, Mozambique, in order to visit Rustenburg this afternoon,” spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.
Those killed were among a group of protesters from Lonmin’s Marikana mine, who went on strike last Friday.
Maharaj said Zuma had asked Southern African Development Community chairman, President Armando Emilio Guebuza of Mozambique, to excuse him so that he could return to South Africa in the wake of Thursday’s deadly shooting.
“The president is concerned about the violent nature of the protest, especially given that the Constitution and labour laws allow enough avenues to deal with issues, and is sympathetic to calls for a commission of inquiry,” Maharaj said.
Police ministry spokesman Zweli Mnisi said that the final death toll had yet to be confirmed, but that “over thirty” people were known to have been killed.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said 36 people had died.
Another 10 people, including police officers and security guards, have died in separate incidents since unrest at the mine began last Friday.
The protests are believed to be related to union rivalry between the NUM and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union.
The striking workers have also demanded higher wages.
PROBE SHOOTINGS: AMCU
President Jacob Zuma must order a probe into the shooting deaths of more than 30 striking Lonmin mineworkers on a hilltop in Rustenburg, Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said on Friday.
“It is with great regret... and shock... that this [protest] resulted in a loss of lives,” said Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) president Joseph Mathunjwa.
He said the killings could have been avoided and called on the nation to mourn those who died.
Amcu would assist with funeral arrangements where it could.
The union believed the week-long labour protest should have been treated with sensitivity.
He began a news briefing in Johannesburg by asking that a moment’s silence be observed.
Amcu and the National Union of Mineworkers are believed to be in a wrangle over union membership at the platinum mine.
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