The world’s number three platinum firm attributed the sharp drop in attendance to intimidation, after a high of 57% of workers reported for duty at the weekend.

Around 600 strikers gathered in an open space, just metres from where police shot dead 34 of their colleagues on August 16. Many more were streaming in from different directions.

Police in armoured trucks kept a close watch over the crowd.

Earlier, dozens of other workers reported for duty more than two weeks into a wildcat strike that has claimed a total of 44 lives.

“Preliminary figures are 13% average attendance across all shafts this morning,” said Lonmin in a statement.

“There have been incidents of intimidation towards bus drivers overnight as well as intimidation of... workers this morning, preventing them from coming to work.” 

Those who returned to work faced veiled threats from their colleagues who were still on strike.

“We are aware that some people have gone back to work, we have noted that behaviour, and we need to come up with a plan to deal with them,” said Alfonso Mofokeng, a miner from Lesotho.

“By going to work they are say the murder that happened here was in vain, and they are fine with it,” he said.

Lonmin said it was hoping most of its 28,000 workers would clock in, after promising signs at the weekend that the stand-off — sparked by demands from rock drill operators for a 300-percent pay rise — may be winding down.

Lonmin said it was due to meet for a fresh round of talks on Monday with representatives of the striking workers.

“The objective of these meetings is to achieve cessation of the violence and a return to work in a safe and secure environment,” it said.

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Sun May 19 03:39:14 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 27, 2012

RobinH

This is all totally insane!!! Who is going to benefit from this brainwahsed behaviour? Certainly not the poor okes on the ground. Pouting Jules, I blame you and your mates!
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Aug 27, 2012

Daddylevi1*

what is the labour and minerals ministers doing to address this issue. we need to see real leadership right now, proactive and participative leadership...in all honesty i am getting bored reading about Lonmin everyday, come on there are other things to focus on...shower where r u and what r u doing to remedy this situation, and please dont tell us about social cohesion and nation building...
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Aug 27, 2012

nEVUS414

people are strugling to find work athoer are toying with it
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Aug 27, 2012

SOLUTIONS

Fire them all and get people who wants to work.
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Aug 27, 2012

Lehido

Stupid.....I guess this are the ones that listened to Julius...What pisses me off the most is that there even foreigners within this miners......
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Aug 27, 2012

Papage

They must take the mining bosses down and tech them a lesson, they must ask me how to do it.
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Aug 27, 2012

ILLUMINATED

ORDO AB CHAO
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Aug 27, 2012

lindsay

@papage

and after they get fired they could come back to you and show you how to rob and k il l loud mouths.
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Aug 27, 2012

MommaC

Here comes more violence, intimidation and murder. I wonder how much bloodshed will make the political blood suckers and union bosses happy?
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Aug 27, 2012

Papage

@lindsay, I will teach them how to explode ATM's with the explosives thye stored down there, we will start at Longmill head Office at Melrose Arch, brig it down then go to JHB mining house
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