MARIKANA, SOUTH AFRICA: Police and mining officials sought to defuse yesterday a strike that sparked clashes between rival unions leaving 10 people dead and shutting down a Lonmin platinum operation.
About 3,000 people gathered on a hill near the mine run by London-listed Lonmin, many of them carrying sticks, machetes and metal bars.
Two helicopters hovered overhead as police and mining officials addressed the crowd. Journalists were kept about 200 meters (yards) away. “Let us listen to each other. We are here to talk,” one official said in Fanagalo, a unique language spoken in mines which is a mix of English and various African tongues.
“The situation is tense and unpredictable, we're monitoring,” police spokesman Dennis Adriao said, adding that negotiations with workers were continuing.
Troubles at the mine, near the North West province town of Rustenburg about 100 kilometers (65 miles) from Johannesburg, erupted on Friday when hundreds of rock drill operators launched a wildcat strike.
Some are reportedly demanding that their wages are more than tripled, from 4,000 rand ($488, 397 euros) to 12,500 rand a month.
Honeymoon murder accused denies killing
A man accused of shooting Swedish honeymooner Anni Dewani pleaded not guilty to killing her as his murder trial opened in a South African court yesterday. Xolile Mngeni denied charges of murder, kidnapping, robbery and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition at the Cape High Court after being cleared as fit to stand trial last week despite his brain tumour.
“I confirm the plea as given by my client,” said defense lawyer Qalisile Dayimani, who said the state had to “prove each and every allegation”.
Mngeni was named by a co-accused, who pleaded guilty last week to Dewani's murder, as the gunman in the killing of the 28-year-old in November 2010 in a plea bargain that implicated her husband Shrien Dewani.
Mziwamadoda Qwabe said Mngeni had fired a single fatal shot from the front passenger seat. He claimed the pair were recruited by the couple's driver to carry out the paid hit allegedly on Dewani's orders.
Mngeni has a brain tumour which a medical report said will not affect proceedings. He answered not guilty pleas to five charges after entering the court with a walking frame and hiding his face.
Prosecutors are still hoping to put Dewani, a British businessman, in the dock in Cape Town after his extradition process was temporarily halted earlier this year, said prosecuting authority spokesman Eric Ntabazalila.
