POLITICAL parties called for an urgent investigation into yesterday's shootings at Lonmin's Marikana mine in Rustenburg, North West.

ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said it needed to be determined who had caused the confrontation between police and striking miners.

"We are requesting that our government to hold an inquiry on what happened today (yesterday) so that all South Africans can come to a conclusion on who is responsible."

The Democratic Alliance said it was shocked and appalled by what had happened at Lonmin.

"We call on union leaders, the police and everyone else involved to work towards a de-escalation of the conflict," the party said.

The DA said an urgent independent investigation was required to determine what happened and who was responsible.

The Inkatha Freedom Party said the massacre at Lonmin highlighted the brewing tensions within South African society and should not be underestimated.

"Its horror should not only shock us but bring to the fore how too often conflicts in this country are dealt with through violence," IFP MP Mario Oriani-Ambrosini said.

Congress of the People also called for an investigation by an independent body into what instigated the killings.

Cope MP Leonard Ramatlakane said: "Cope believes the magnitude of this massacre warrants a comprehensive report by the police to Parliament's portfolio committee on police."