Fresh unrest hits South Africa platinum belt despite deal

Tuesday by workers at nearby Lonmin mine — where 45 people have been killed in nearly six weeks — had set a dangerous precedent for wage negotiations.
Police spokesman Dennis Adriao said officers deployed numerous tactics to thin the crowd of about 500 that gathered yesterday near the world’s number one platinum miner Anglo American Platinum, known as Amplats, where rising protests and tensions forced the closure of five mines last week.
“They refused to disperse. Police had to revert to tear gas and stun grenades and there was also rubber bullets fired,” Adriao said, adding that the crowd had gathered illegally.
Amplats spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole said tear gas was fired at an informal settlement called Sondela.
Workers at the Lonmin Marikana mines, who had been striking over pay and conditions, reached a deal late on Tuesday after more than three weeks of talks.
The deal came after police gunned down 34 protesters last month in a shocking incident with echoes of apartheid brutality.
Under the deal, Lonmin miners will return to work at 7am (0500 GMT) today in return for raises of between 11 and 22 percent, plus bonuses.
The increase fell a little short of demands for a monthly salary of R12 500 (US$1 520). Shares in Lonmin, the world’s third-biggest platinum producer, rallied in London yesterday morning after workers agreed to end their strike. — AFP.