South African police moved in on Thursday to disperse thousands of striking miners armed with machetes and sticks from Lonmin’s Marikana platinum mine, a Reuters cameraman said.
Police at the scene said they had been trying to negotiate with the striking rock-drill operators massed on a rocky outcrop near the mine, but the talks had failed.
The striking workers are demanded a salary of R12 500 a month for all workers. They currently earn R4 000 a month