BETWEEN 350 and 400 people have been arrested in connection with an illegal mineworkers' strike, which turned violent in Rustenburg last week, police said
Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said those in custody had been charged with malicious damage to property, theft, illegal gatherings, public violence and possession of stolen goods.
About 88 shops belonging to foreigners in Freedom Park were looted on Thursday and Friday, Ngubane said.
He denied the attacks were xenophobic, but said the violence had been targeted at all businesses rather than foreigners.
Up to a 100 people, mainly Somalis and Ethiopian, had been displaced as a result of the violence and were staying with friends in a neighbouring township, police said.
The township was quiet over the weekend as miners went home, but today could see the continuation of protest, said Ngubane.
"The people responsible must put an end to this. That is all we are asking for," he said.
On Saturday, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) urged strikers to return to work.
"NUM is committed to a peaceful resolution at (Impala Platinum) Implats and appeals to all its members and workers to return to work next week, when their issues will be addressed," spokesman Lesiba Seshoka said.
The protests began in Phokeng on Thursday, with mineworkers reportedly intimidating and assaulting people in and around Rustenburg.
The protesters barricaded roads towards Freedom Park, threw stones at cars and looted shops. The crowd also torched a satellite police station in Freedom park.
Seshoka said the union met with Implats management on Friday night in an attempt to resolve the impasse at the mine.
Implats has agreed to re-employ the 17200 workers who were dismissed at the beginning of the strike.
"NUM strongly condemns the violent behaviour demonstrated by criminals who are taking advantage of the volatile situation. We appeal for calm and we ask police to make decisive intervention whenever violence raises its ugly head," the spokesman for the union said.
'Criminals' take advantage of miners' strike
BETWEEN 350 and 400 people have been arrested in connection with an illegal mineworkers' strike, which turned violent in Rustenburg last week, police said
Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said those in custody had been charged with malicious damage to property, theft, illegal gatherings, public violence and possession of stolen goods.
About 88 shops belonging to foreigners in Freedom Park were looted on Thursday and Friday, Ngubane said.
He denied the attacks were xenophobic, but said the violence had been targeted at all businesses rather than foreigners.
Up to a 100 people, mainly Somalis and Ethiopian, had been displaced as a result of the violence and were staying with friends in a neighbouring township, police said.
The township was quiet over the weekend as miners went home, but today could see the continuation of protest, said Ngubane.
"The people responsible must put an end to this. That is all we are asking for," he said.
On Saturday, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) urged strikers to return to work.
"NUM is committed to a peaceful resolution at (Impala Platinum) Implats and appeals to all its members and workers to return to work next week, when their issues will be addressed," spokesman Lesiba Seshoka said.
The protests began in Phokeng on Thursday, with mineworkers reportedly intimidating and assaulting people in and around Rustenburg.
The protesters barricaded roads towards Freedom Park, threw stones at cars and looted shops. The crowd also torched a satellite police station in Freedom park.
Seshoka said the union met with Implats management on Friday night in an attempt to resolve the impasse at the mine.
Implats has agreed to re-employ the 17200 workers who were dismissed at the beginning of the strike.
"NUM strongly condemns the violent behaviour demonstrated by criminals who are taking advantage of the volatile situation. We appeal for calm and we ask police to make decisive intervention whenever violence raises its ugly head," the spokesman for the union said.
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