Archbishop of York gives comfort to SA mining families
Dr John Sentamu has reached out to the families of those killed in the South African mine massacre after silence from political leaders.
South Africa miner standoff hardens as strikes spread
The standoff between striking miners and South African authorities hardened as workers rejected a new deal and 'gatherings' were banned.
SA politician: 'We are prepared to die for the strike'
The expelled ANC firebrand politician Julius Malema tells ITV News black South Africans are worse off now than they were during apartheid.
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Striking South African miners reject Lonmin wage offer
South Africa's Justice Minister Jeff Radebe has warned the government that it would clamp down on the daily illegal marches by miners brandishing machetes, spears and clubs that have marked the strike.
Radebe told a news conference: "The government will no longer tolerate illegal gatherings and brandishing of weapons in this way. The police are well acquainted with how to enforce public order in South Africa."
The strikers turned down Lonmin's offer of a 900 rand ($112.50) increase that would give new-entry workers a basic monthly salary of 5,500 rand ($688), their leaders said.
South African ministers outline security crackdown on miners
by Rohit Kachroo - Africa CorrespondentSouth African ministers have outlined a security crackdown on "illegal gatherings" of miners at a meeting deciding on the security strategy for mines. "The mining industry is at stake", says the Justice minister.
They say their warnings are aimed at outsiders stirring up trouble - which appear to be directed at Julius Malema - are not actually directed at Julius Malema.
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South Africa's finance minister: Miners' unrest 'damaging' to economy
South Africa's finance minister has said "unrest" by striking Marikana miners has the potential to be "extremely damaging" to the economy, Reuters have reported.
Report: Striking South African miners reject pay offer
Striking Marikana miners in South Africa said they have rejected Lonmin's pay offer, according to Reuters.
The strikers said the offer from the world's third largest platinum was well below the 12,500 rand ($1,500) they are demanding to return to work.
Zuma: 'Strikes will make the country worse off'
South African president Jacob Zuma has responded to the threat of strike action by the country's platinum miners.
He said: "Illegal strikes and intimidation will not help striking miners", adding it would "make the country worse off".
He said that strikers' concern should be addressed within the "labour framework".
South Africa mine protest leader urges national strike
A leader of major protest by platinum miners in South Africa has called for a national strike in the sector "to bring the mining companies to their knees".
Protest leader Mametlwe Sebei told a crowd of several thousand striking workers that a general strike would be held from Sunday in near Rustenberg.
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Celebrations follow South African miners' release
The first of the remaining 170 South African miners being held on suspicion of murder following strikes and protests at a Lonmin platinum mine have been released.
Following the miners release there were scenes of celebration with singing and dancing.
Police release South African miners from custody
The first of the remaining 170 South African miners being held on suspicion of murder following strikes and protests at a Lonmin platinum mine have been released.
Their release follows the release of about 50 miners on Monday. Police opened fire on the Marikana miners on August 16, killing 34 of them - the most deadly action by police since South Africa became a democracy in 1994.
Police said they shot in self-defence after a crowd, some armed with machetes, stormed towards them. But the miners dispute this version.
Reports: South African mine bosses 'reach deal with unions'
Eyewitness News in South Africa is reporting that Lomin management has signed a "peace accord" with unions, excluding Amcu.
“Amcu (Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union) was there during the signing. They did not want to sign,” Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini told EWN.
It is reported that workers have not yet signed the deal.
On Wednesday night, trade union Solidarity representative Gideon du Plessis said the agreement would mean miners would return to work on Monday, and that the talks – including the participation of all the unions, Amcu among them – would start in “a structured manner” soon after that.
The agreement bars the Lonmin employees from carrying “dangerous weapons”. Also, Lonmin management had added a “sweetener”, which would be that the strikers would get five days’ pay for the period they were on strike.
More South African miners expected to be released from custody
More than 200 South African miners being held in police custody are expected to be released today. This follows the release of about 50 miners - who had been controversially charged with murder - on Monday.
Police opened fire on the Marikana miners on August 16, killing 34 of them - the most deadly action by police since South Africa became a democracy in 1994.
Police said they shot in self-defence after a crowd, some armed with machetes, stormed towards them.
But the miners dispute their version, insisting police opened fire simply to break the strike. State prosecutors then charged 270 miners, rather than policemen, with the murders under the apartheid-era "common purpose" doctrine.
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