JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Police shot rubber bullets at striking miners at the violence-stricken Lonmin Platinum Mine near Johannesburg on Saturday, wounding several people, witnesses said.
One witness, who refused to be named, said he heard the bang of shooting and saw some people running away from the scene, with bleeding from their faces.
The scene came one day after the South African government threatened to crack down on growing labour unrest that has continued for more than one month.
Police opened fire after failing to disperse a crowd of striking miners, according to witnesses.
The Lonmin mine has been the center of labor unrest that has swept four mines along the mining belt near Johannesburg, dealing a heavy blow to the mining industry, the backbone of South Africa's economy.
On Aug. 16, police opened fire at protesters at the Lonmin mine, killing 34 people and wounding 78 others in what was believed to be the worst mine violence in post-apartheid South Africa. Prior to the incident, 10 other people, including two police officers, were killed in internal fighting between striking miners.
Striking miners have refused to retreat from their demands for higher pay despite the government's harsh warning.
In Saturday's crackdown, police also raided worker hostels and seized metal rods, spears, machetes and sticks used by striking miners during the protests. The military helicopter was seen hovering above, provide support to the police crackdown.
Police warned that if they could not bring the situation under control, the military might intervene.
|
