The South African police have confirmed that its
officers shot and killed 34 striking miners and injured 78 near a
platinum mine in North West province.
The officers shot at the
workers who were protesting on Thursday afternoon over pay at the Lonmin
platinum mine in Marikana, some 100km northwest of Johannesburg.
The incident is being described as one of the bloodiest police
operations in the country since the end of white-minority rule almost 20
years ago.
But this latest labour dispute is also between unions. The country's
largest syndicate for mine workers is closely allied with the
government. It is being challenged by an upstart trade union that is
demanding better pay and working conditions.
Thousands of demonstrating miners in South Africa have
cheered a speech made by Julius Malema, the former leader of the ANC's
youth wing, in which he denounced the police for shooting protesters on
Thursday.
The government has set up an inquiry into how 34 people were killed when police opened fire on striking workers at the mine.
Mr Malema also criticised President Jacob Zuma's handling of the crisis.
Cyril Ramaphosa, a prominent South African businessman, who was one of the leaders in the struggle against apartheid said lessons must be learned.
The government has set up an inquiry into how 34 people were killed when police opened fire on striking workers at the mine.
Mr Malema also criticised President Jacob Zuma's handling of the crisis.
Cyril Ramaphosa, a prominent South African businessman, who was one of the leaders in the struggle against apartheid said lessons must be learned.
The union leaders seem to agree on one thing; they accuse the police of committing a massacre. But the police argue that the protesters were armed and the shooting was in self-defence.
Before Thursday, 10 people had already been killed since the start of
this illegal strike in violence largely blamed on union rivalry,
including two police officers who were hacked to death by striking
miners on Monday.
Given the riches beneath their feet at the platinum mine, one union leader said it was only fair they get more pay.
"As long as bosses and senior management are getting fat cheques,
that's good for them," said Jeffrey Matunjwa of the Mineworkers and
Construction Union. "And these workers are subjected to poverty for
life. [After] 18 years of democracy, the mineworker is still earning
3,000 [South African Rand - approximately $360] under those harsh
conditions underground."
But what started violently has ended in bloodshed few could have
foreseen. It has led labour relations at the mine in tatters and
families angry.
So, what was behind this brutal police crackdown and how will it play out politically in South Africa?
Joining Inside Story, with presenter Ghida Fakhry, to discuss this are guests: Patrick Craven, the national spokesperson for the Congress of South African Trade Unions; David Wilson, a senior analyst at IHS Global Insight; and Zweli Mnisi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Police Services.
So, what was behind this brutal police crackdown and how will it play out politically in South Africa?
Joining Inside Story, with presenter Ghida Fakhry, to discuss this are guests: Patrick Craven, the national spokesperson for the Congress of South African Trade Unions; David Wilson, a senior analyst at IHS Global Insight; and Zweli Mnisi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Police Services.
Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Newgenafrica
Join our Blog: http://www.newgenerationafrica.com
WE ARE PROUD TO BE UNIQUELY AFRICAN! UNIQUELY NEW GENERATION!!
Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world ..... Albert Einstein
No comments:
Post a Comment