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Striking workers at Lonmin’s Marikana mine. The shooting erupted when police sought to disperse armed, striking workers who had gathered on a hill, in the area that had already seen several deaths in violent protests in the past week. PHOTO/ Greg Marinovich/Daily Maverick
Marikana — President Jacob Zuma has called on South Africans to unite as a nation as the country mourns the deaths of 34 protestors killed during clashes with police in Marikana, Rustenburg.
Reminding South Africans that they had come together to overcome difficult moments in the country’s past, Zuma said it was time to grieve together so that the healing and rebuilding process can begin.
The President cut short his participation in the SADC Summit in Mozambique to return to South Africa on Friday following the deaths at Lonmin, to be with those affected during the country’s hour of mourning.
Zuma, flanked by other Cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, police management and provincial leadership, addressed the media after he was briefed about the latest developments in Marikana.
Tensions in the area have been high in the past weeks, following a strike by Lonmin Platinum mine employees and subsequent clashes between rival unions.
Apart from the 34 protestors killed yesterday, 10 others have also been killed — including two police officers — in nearly a week of fighting between rival worker factions.
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