Thousands of striking miners returned Wednesday to a mine where South African police opened fire on workers last month, killing 34 people. An estimated 3,000 marchers, some carrying sticks, accused police of brutality at the Lonmin platinum mine, in the eastern town of Marikana. Police in riot gear, armored vehicles and helicopters kept an eye […]
South Africa Miners Accuse Police of Brutality
Posted September 5th, 2012 at 11:50 am (UTC-5)
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South Africa Drops Murder Charges Against Miners
Posted September 2nd, 2012 at 9:55 am (UTC-5)
South African prosecutors have provisionally dropped murder charges against 270 miners accused of killing 34 fellow workers shot dead by police. The miners were charged following the August 16 shooting incident during a strike at the Lonmin mine in Marikana. The acting director of prosecutions, Nomgcono Jiba, said Sunday that final charges will only be […]
South Africa’s Justice Minister Questions Charges Against Miners
Posted August 31st, 2012 at 1:30 pm (UTC-5)
South Africa’s justice minister is demanding that prosecutors explain why striking miners are being charged with the murder of 34 fellow workers who by all accounts were shot by police. Minister Jeff Radebe issued the demand Friday, saying the decision by South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority induced a sense of “shock, panic and confusion.” The […]
South African Miners Charged in Police Shootings of Strikers
Posted August 30th, 2012 at 4:45 pm (UTC-5)
South African prosecutors have charged 270 miners with the murders of 34 colleagues killed by police during a strike — a decision some South Africans call “madness.” Authorities are using an obscure statute called the common purpose law, under which people in a crowd where a crime was committeed can be prosecuted as accomplices. The […]
Zuma Meets Miners at Site of Police Killings
Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 1:55 pm (UTC-5)
South African President Jacob Zuma has assured miners his government will uncover the “truth” about the police killing of 34 striking mine workers. Mr. Zuma spoke to hundreds of striking miners at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana. Police opened fire on protesters demanding higher wages at the Marikana mine last week. At least 10 […]
South African Mine Owner Softens Dismissal Threats
Posted August 21st, 2012 at 6:10 am (UTC-5)
The owner of a South African platinum mine has softened its demands for striking workers to return to the job, saying those who fail to report Tuesday will be punished, but not necessarily fired. Lonmin PLC had originally told workers to return Monday or face dismissal, but extended the deadline to Tuesday in light of […]
South African Mine Reopens Following Strike, Clashes
Posted August 20th, 2012 at 10:35 am (UTC-5)
The South African platinum mine where police killed 44 people last week has reopened, with its owner extending a deadline for striking workers to return. Lonmin PLC said in a statement that work at its Marikana mine resumed Monday with about one-third of 28,000 employees reporting to their jobs. The company had said striking workers […]
South African Mine Owner Warns Striking Workers to Return
Posted August 20th, 2012 at 2:40 am (UTC-5)
The owner of a South African mine where police killed 34 people last week says striking workers must return to the job Monday or face being fired. Lonmin PLC said in a statement Sunday that the deadline is a “final ultimatum.” About 3,000 people have joined the strike since August 10 to demand higher wages. […]
Crowd Rallies Near Site of South African Mine Shooting
Posted August 18th, 2012 at 3:35 pm (UTC-5)
Several thousand demonstrators have rallied near the site of the South African mine where 34 people were killed Thursday when police opened fire on striking workers. Demonstrators sang and shouted chants on Saturday as speakers addressed the crowd in Marikana township, northwest of Johannesburg. Authorities continue to investigate Thursday’s shooting. National police chief Riah Phiyega […]
Crowd Rallies Near Site of South African Mine Shooting
Posted August 18th, 2012 at 10:10 am (UTC-5)
A large group of protesters has peacefully rallied near the site of the South African mine where 34 people were killed Thursday when police opened fire on striking workers. Demonstrators sang and shouted chants on Saturday as speakers addressed the crowd in Marikana township, northwest of Johannesburg. Authorities continue to investigate Thursday’s shooting, which also […]
