14°c A few clouds
28°c Isolated showers
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Miners vow fight to death in wake of police shootings
Armed police keep an eye on protesting women at the Lonmin mine on Friday. (DENIS FARRELL / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
MARIKANA, South Africa -- Frantic wives searched for missing loved ones, President Jacob Zuma rushed home from a regional summit and some miners vowed a fight to the death Friday as police announced a shocking casualty toll from the previous day's shooting by officers of striking miners: 34 dead and 78 wounded.
Wives of miners at the Lonmin platinum mine northwest of Johannesburg took the place of dead and wounded husbands on Friday in staging a protest. But this time, instead of asking for higher wages as the miners had done, the women demanded to know why police had opened fire Thursday with automatic rifles, pistols and shotguns on the strikers, many of whom had been armed with spears, machetes and clubs, as they rushed towards the officers.
Police said at a news conference it was in self-defence, noting strikers even possessed a pistol taken from a police officer they had beaten to death on Monday. But video footage indicates the miners may have simply been trying to flee tear gas police had fired at them moments earlier.
As the miners rushed away from a hill they had occupied and was being tear-gassed, police opened fire, including with automatic rifles. Police were perhaps jumpy, knowing the strikers were armed and two officers had already died earlier in the week.
"Police stop shooting our husbands and sons," read a banner carried by the women on Friday. They kneeled before shotgun-toting police and sang a protest song, saying "What have we done?" in the Xhosa language.
National police Chief Mangwashi Victoria Phiyega told a packed news conference Thursday was a dark day for South Africa and it was no time for pointing fingers, even as people compared the shootings to apartheid-era state violence.
Political parties and labour unions demanded an investigation.
Zuma returned home from a summit in Mozambique and announced an official inquiry into the killings, which he called shocking and tragic.
The president headed directly to the mine, 70 kilometres northwest of Johannesburg, where his office said he would visit injured miners in the hospital.
At least 10 other people were killed during the week-old strike, including the two police officers battered to death by strikers and two mine security guards burned alive when strikers set their vehicle ablaze.
Makhosi Mbongane, a 32-year-old winch operator, said mine managers should have come to the striking workers rather than send police. Strikers were demanding monthly salary raises from $625 to $1,563. Mbongane vowed he was not going back to work and would not allow anyone else to do so either.
"They can beat us, kill us and kick and trample on us with their feet, do whatever they want to do, we aren't going to go back to work," he told The Associated Press.
"If they employ other people, they won't be able to work either. We will stay here and kill them."
-- The Associated Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 18, 2012 A26
More World
- Back to Top
- Return to World
More World
(1 of 12 articles for today)
Bomb blasts as gunmen attack UN compound in Mogadishu; battle ongoing with al-Shabab fighters
5:32 AM 0MOGADISHU, Somalia - Al-Qaida-linked militants detonated multiple bomb blasts and engaged in ongoing battles with security forces in an attempt ...
Poll
Most Popular World
- Hungary accuses ex-Canadian citizen, 98, of Nazi-era war crimes against Jews
- Bombardier business jets account for most of US$1.9B orders at Paris Air Show
- Man inspires new form of protest in Turkey simply by standing
- California 'Night Stalker' serial killer Richard Ramirez dies at 53
- Justin Bieber behind wheel as car strikes man in Hollywood; police say no crime
- Mystery behind disappearance, death of Teamsters' Jimmy Hoffa still fascinates after 40 years
- Miss Utah latest beauty queen to botch answer, elicit cringes across web
- China bans individuals from adopting abandoned infants privately
- Italy's high court explains Amanda Knox reversal, says victim died in possible 'erotic game'
- Ex-Playboy Playmate admits helping Canadian boyfriend enter US illegally
- Deck collapse at popular Miami-area sports bar during NBA Finals game sends dozens into water
- Bear whose head had been stuck in a plastic jar for at least 11 days is rescued in central Pa.
- Hungary accuses ex-Canadian citizen, 98, of Nazi-era war crimes against Jews
- Mystery behind disappearance, death of Teamsters' Jimmy Hoffa still fascinates after 40 years
- Boston woman pays $560,000 for 2 parking spots during auction held by IRS
- AP IMPACT: Commander in Nazi SS-led unit linked to atrocities living in Minnesota
- Soldiers, horses parade through London to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's birthday
- Man recovering in hospital after surviving plunge from 15th floor apartment in New Zealand
- Father of Snowden's girlfriend says he's 'shocked' by news; says daughter is 'holding on'
- Man inspires new form of protest in Turkey simply by standing
- Bridge collapse survivor who fell in river: 'You hold on as tight as you can'
- Massive tornado roars through Oklahoma City suburb, killing at least 51
- Brave woman tried to calm London attackers and reasoned with them before police came
- Woman who reported baby in sewer is his mom; was present at rescue
- Mother says Boston suspect now walking; father of Chechen man FBI shot says he was 'executed'
- SC woman who murdered 4 in family brought them together to pray before killings
- Search for survivors of Oklahoma tornado nearly complete, as homeowners confront devastation
- Man shot to death in Fla. while being questioned in Boston Marathon bombing investigation
- 3 veteran storm chasers killed while pursuing storm as it swept into Oklahoma City area
- Police: US driver drove drunk while having sex, crashed, hid behind cactus
- Uncle Sam is Big Brother
- Drowning doesn't look like drowning
- AP IMPACT: Commander in Nazi SS-led unit linked to atrocities living in Minnesota
- Having a senior moment?
- Rare comic book featuring Superman's debut found in walls of Minn. home sells for $175,000
- Don't like spies? Here are some ideas for keeping your data safe from snoops
- Minnesota man lied about Nazi past
- Books can influence growth of brain
- US woman training for half-marathon discovers runner's pain actually surprise baby girl
- Vietnam court sentences 4 men to prison for arranging 2 illegal voyages for would-be migrants
- Drowning doesn't look like drowning
- Bridge collapse survivor who fell in river: 'You hold on as tight as you can'
- Police: US driver drove drunk while having sex, crashed, hid behind cactus
- Rare comic book featuring debut of Superman found insulating abandoned house in Minnesota
- Uncle Sam is Big Brother
- Phone cracked? Cool
- Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river
- Woman who reported baby in sewer is his mom; was present at rescue
- Beavers attack people in Belarus, fisherman dies of bite wounds after trying to pose for photo
- AP IMPACT: Commander in Nazi SS-led unit linked to atrocities living in Minnesota
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.