South Africa to Investigate Mine Shooting
By DEVON MAYLIE
JOHANNESBURG—South African President Jacob Zuma is expected this week to name members to a commission investigating a police shooting that left dead 34 striking miners—most armed with sticks and machetes—and left the government scrambling to defuse explosive labor tensions.
A presidential spokesman said the commission, likely to be made up of judges and lawyers, will have the power to subpoena witnesses in its probe of last weeks’ shooting, one of the worst incidents of violence since South Africa entered a new democratic era 18 years ago.
Reuters
Striking miners holding weapons as they awaited a speech by former ANC Youth League President Julius Malema Saturday
The commission is expected to focus on how a days-long standoff escalated into a few moments of chaotic shooting, with several hundred police officers firing at a group of protestors that charged them after refusing to disarm. The clash on Thursday came after 3,000 or so rockdrillers walked off the job at Lonmin
PLC’s Marikana platinum mine Aug. 10, calling for higher wages. Their illegal strike led to fights between employees that left 10 people dead, including two police officers.
In all, 44 people have perished in the protests.
“The president is concerned about how an industrial dispute degenerates to violent acts,” said presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj, a spokesman for the president. “He wants something that will prevent violence in the future.”
President Zuma announced Sunday that he was declaring a week of mourning starting Monday for those who have died during the strike. He also established a committee of
Category: Africa News
