SA military could help stem mines unrest

South African police who clashed with striking workers at Lonmin's Marikana platinum mine said the military could be roped in to help quell the mining unrest if the situation degenerates.

17 Sep 2012

Earlier police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades to disperse hundreds of workers that had regrouped in a shantytown near where police shot dead 34 people last month.

The protesters hurled stones at officers and set tyres alight.

Police spokesman Thulani Ngubane told AFP that the crackdown was a police operation but that the military could be called in if the situation needed reinforcements.

"If a situation... needs soldiers to back us up, they will back us up indeed. They are part of the state, all state resources are available to make sure that we maintain the situation of Marikana," he said.

"But at this stage there is no soldier that is anywhere on the field or that is anywhere around the operational area of Marikana."

A military helicopter was spotted orbiting above the protest scene which Ngubane said was back-up for a police chopper in the area.

The government on Friday warned it was going to take stern action to rein in the festering labour unrest which has left 45 people dead and forced three platinum mines to shut operations in the world's top producing country.

Source: AFP via I-Net Bridge

For more:

ANC slams British for Marikana violence
Action taken to end Marikana violence
'Who sent army to Marikana?'
Soldiers deployed to support police operation in Marikana

Source: I-Net Bridge

For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.

We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.

Go to: http://www.inet.co.za