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Themba Hadebe / AP
Police officers round up a group of men as they patrol the area near the Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Saturday.
MARIKANA, South Africa -- South African police on Saturday fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse miners rallying in Marikana after raids on their hostels to seize arms, witnesses said.
About 500 police officers raided the hostels at Lonmin's Karee platinum mine near Marikana -- scene of the killing of 34 miners by police last month -- in the early morning and seized machetes, spears and other weapons, police spokesman Thulani Ngubane said
Saturday's incident was the latest in five weeks of labor unrest that has choked off platinum production in the world's top producer of the precious metal.
It broke out as Lonmin increased its pay offer to striking miners, although the revised figure was still short of the 12,500 rand ($1,500) that they demand. An earlier offer on Friday was rejected.
Themba Hadebe / AP
Police arrive as residents burn tires in Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Saturday.
Voice of hate or hero? South Africa's downtrodden workers put faith in Malema
Police arrested five people in the raids on the hostels, home to about 6,000 miners, but for drugs offences not weapons, Ngubane said.
"The aim of the raid was to disarm the mine workers to make sure that we do away with the elements of threats that are taking their toll in the area of Marikana," Ngubane said.
Miners later gathered at a field in Marikana, about 60 miles northwest of Johannesburg, and police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse them, a Reuters journalist at the scene said.
South Africa uses apartheid-era law to accuse 270 miners of murder
In Marikana last month police shot 34 striking miners dead in a single day, the bloodiest police action in South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994. A total of 44 people have been killed in the unrest.
The "Marikana massacre" has poisoned industrial relations in South Africa and drawn criticism that President Jacob Zuma and the ruling ANC have been too slow in dealing with the widening crisis.
'Murder on a massive scale': Angry fallout from S. Africa mine shootings
The mine shootings have also made it hard for the police to use force to break up of strikers, most of whom are armed with sticks, spears and machetes.
The government said on Friday it would crack down on illegal gatherings and the carrying of weapons.
Led by the militant Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), the strikes have threatened the long dominance of the National Union of Mineworkers, which is in an alliance with the ruling African National Congress.
The strikers say that the ANC and big unions have forgotten the needs of South Africa's millions of poor.
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Leave a Comment:
How about some more information regarding what these miners are paid, reading this piece I can't tell if they're bringing in $1500..00 a week, day or every 5minutes....I'm certainly gratefull for hearing of these people though..
1500.00 was rejected by the miners, I'm like you it doesn't state much, there was a story about 2 weeks ago about what the worlds richest woman that was complaining about having to pay miners $2 a day wages I think this is tied to that story. She was a heiress to a huge mine of some sort in South Africa.
My mistake she lived in Australia, But it had something to do with South African mines
Patrick McCarthy,
$1,500 per MONTH is what the miners are asking for, so they are making considerable less than that now. While that may sound like a lot compared to the $2 per day that fat, rich lady is complaining about, it seems meager to me for working in a mine.
1500 a month MORE, hell thats good money here, let alone in South Africa. Unemployment here pays 325 a week do the math............
Well they are mining one of the worlds most precious metals and they have machetes for weapons should tell u all u need to know about their pay.
My guess is the story wasn't meant to make u aware of their low paying slavery but about their violent weapons.
How come that resource platinum will be traded based on global value but the human resource will be traded based on local value?
Try to get your facts straight before expressing your half-baked opinions. I live in South Africa and have seen what is going on. The workers want a 300% pay raise. Their productivity is the lowest in the world. The unemployment rate is 40%. A drug fueled, drunken mob of 3000 attacked the police with guns, spears, pangas and clubs. The billionaire you refer to is in Australia and the comments she made were not in reference to South Africa.
Did you read this article and the one before it about 3 days ago? They are asking for $1500.00 PERIOD!!! Got it? not more!!! If you are on unemployment and you are getting 325.00 week then you made roughly $520.00 a week for a yearly salary of 27040.00 per year. They are asking for 1500.00 a month. that would be $346.00 a week for a total of $18000.00 per year. You benefits are set at 60% of your gross depending on how many weeks you worked.
I do this for a living. Try to remember that they live in a place where the price of EVERYTHING is sky high.
Exactly Patrick. This piece is quite vague on the wage. The corporate masters don't want you knowing that they STILL pay sub human wages.
The article says less than $1500 . How much less ? Could be less than $1000 and still be accurate.
And how often ? Monthly or every two months.
And Kayley Segal above is nothing but a very racist piece of trash !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The corporate powers in essence, have control over the MEDIA and the POLICE.
These men have the right to bear arms. The corporation power is coming to a city near you VERY SOON.
And Kayley Segal above is nothing but a very racist piece of trash !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Really? You would risk your life every day working a job for $1500?
If these people are making so much money, then why are they living in metal shacks?
I'm sure some Einstein will come along and post how all these people waste their monies on Iphones, Ipads, and $5 coffees from Starbucks!
Just think about how much poverty in the world could be abolished with a living wage.
Gee, they are still throwing spears at each other over there? Wow.
That's right only people that are American citizens are created equal.
When the people around me grow the country grows as does the economy. When foreign countries economy grows so does our GDP.
Economies are not linear they are reciprocal.
I do believe in competitive capitalism, this is what I want for me and others. Growth for all not just owners.
Vulture capitalism
Exactly MDB, the scary miners. How dare they attempt to fight their way out of slave wages. (sarcasm)
Is that all you got out of the article?
WOW: these picture look like the movie District Nine....
District 9 was filmed in South Africa.
Yup, looks just like Dist. 9. When most of us see South Africa, we see the beautiful areas, game reserves & such, Not the ugly side of life.
Oh yes, the unions. Funny thing how they were the best thing since sliced bread during the apartheid & Lech Walensa days, now they care not for Joe six pack little guy, but only in getting certain parties and individuals elected. Hmmm, Sound kind of like the present times in the U.S...
Christian p:
Unions have steered elections since they came to power decades ago, not just "present times".
Don't worry about South Africa
The way the US and European economies are going soon you too will be living in a tin shack and working for the $2 that the fat rich Australian b*tch wants to pay.
Are you better of then 5 years ago or do you think your kids will live a better life than your self?
Lear the words "I sold my soul to the company store"
let me see. if i remember correctly when a white govt in south africa shot protesters it brought world condemnation. but it appears to be ok now because its a black govt shooting protesters. once again the united states of hypocracy leads the way. oh by the way, hows thar arab spring working now.
last i check good...they are so busy killing each other over their stupid book and other non issues, they forgot about us. maybe Ol Barry has done one thing right after all..............:)
Not quite Scooter. That was OUR ambassador, OUR diplomat and two of OUR former SEALs that were murdered by thugs in Libya. That was OUR Embassy that was attacked and the flag burned in Cairo while the Obamao appointed ambassador (more like an embarrassment) that refused to allow the Marine security detachment to have live ammo. Since you seem to be uneducated concerning international law, an embassy or consulate is considered sovereign territory of the country that it represents. In the civilized world that means the locals don't enter the grounds without permission, in the Muslim world it means nothing. Attacking an Embassy is considered the same as an attack on the country it represents. In other words, an attack on a US embassy is the same as an attack on DC, NYC or LA. That means an attack on an embassy is an ACT OF WAR and the numbnuts in DC need to learn how to respond to an act of war. Here's a hint. Lock, load, Breathe, Relax, Aim and Squeeze. The Marines have learned how to execute those actions to a high degree of proficiency, they simply need the numbnut dicklomats to let them do their jobs. As long as the Muslims feel that they can attack our embassies with impunity, they will continue to do so. When the first wave of "protestors" hits the top of the wall and is met with a hail of gunfire, the second wave will think twice about joining them. Over 400 Muslims attacked the US consulate in a WELL coordinated attack. Do you realize that a squad of Marines (11 Marines) armed with M4s and a single pouch of magazines (most times you carry two pouches totaling 6 magazines plus one in the weapon) would've repelled those attackers. If one embassy assault was met with overwhelming firepower, there would be a lot fewer of them, and they would be a LOT smaller.
How does the fact that you have two unions, a foriegn government, and a mining company equate to the United States? I think its the fishermen that want to get paid not to fish. Oh sorry my bad, it was because of crushing stdent debt.
Lt Scrounge-4042308:
Since you want to take it that far off topic why don't you post the last U.S. administration that allowed Marine Security Guards to use live ammunition on a crowd?....
How close to the planet Earth is this Muslim world?
All Nations embassies have violent protesters (Yes some are American citizens), but you would know that if you weren't blinded by hate and ignorance
joe vet ,they did not let us have loaded weapons in beruit,look what that got us,oh yeah but that was a republican administration.
WoW ..Now who will protect our Blood Diamonds ?
Right continent, wrong country.
The average life expectancy of diamond miner is 35 years. Whatever they're paid, it's not enough for the hazards they're exposed to on a daily basis.
and that has what to do with;
??????
What does that have to do with auto workers in Kentuky?
How are they suppose to work without arms?
Seriously though, I think its about time they disarmed this mob. Every worker has a natural right to protest and strike, but not threaten, beat and murder. They dont need arms unless they are going to war or expecting violence against themselves. If thats the case, its time for a new job.
Oh I see... it is only in America that you go bsc over some numbnuts getting thier guns taken away. That is the height of hypocrosy. Not only that the police killed the miners, mabey they just want to protect themselves ever thought of that?
RIMN, no they don't think of that, because these people are the WRONG color.
I really wish they would explain the whole story so there is clarity on the situation. There is a turf war going on between two rival unions. One of the unions is using violence and threats of violence to try to gain power over the other and is led by a man who wants all mines to be nationalized. That is to take away from companies and investors what they have rightfully paid for and give control to the government of SA. We all know that governments are never corrupt. Even if they were nationalized, the poor would still be poor.
One union is employing violence (Stupid laws protect these fat cats).
Julias Malema is who want to Nationalise the mines. He was the Former Youth League Leader for the ANC, but was kicked out for wanting to kill the Afrikaaners, and being racist to BBC reporters, stealing from the Tax man, and belittling the President, to say the least. Too bad, a majority of people want this guy to be president of the country.
Our current president (Jacob Zuma) had 700+ corruption charges, a rape charge, and believed you could cure AIDS by taking a shower, before the country forced him into power (kicking out the previous president just before his term was up).
Plus, we had an independent crime squad (The Scorpions), who were finally catching these politicians and arresting them. Then, the ANC somehow got them disbanded, and cheered when the ruling went through parliament. The people of the country were all in protest of the act, but it still happened.
Before, our power company (ESKOM) which is owned by government, was unable to keep up with electricity demand, even though this was predicted 20 years in advance. They pocketed the money and South Africa is left in rolling black outs for years to come. Guess what, the directors were give millions in bonuses after the incident.
Now, the government has authorised Shell to start drilling and fracking for Gas in the Karroo Game Reserve (one of our biggest tourist attractions), against what the people of the country wanted. Now we will lose one of our greatest GDP factors for the chances of making a bit of money from Shell for taking the gas and selling it.
Don't get me started on the tolls, BEE, and taxes.
This is the wonderful democratic country of South Africa.
I've seen through my travels around the globe that the rest of the world only believes whats presented in the media, not many people actually take the time to research the facts before forming an opinion. A celebrity/politician will come out with an opinion and everyone who follows that person assumes they know the situation. Even if there was out and out black on black violence in South Africa it would not generate the interest as did the anti-apartheid movement. In fact when the Marikana violence was shown internationally, it was only white cops that were shown in the mix and the references were made to the similarity of the "dark days of Apartheid" [sic].
No one really knows or cares that for example that white farmers are still being killed for their lands and just scoff it off as reparation for all the years of white rule and that they deserve it.
From the time I spent in the USA, I still saw forms of racism at different social levels, as much as the Americans are loathe to admit it. I heard racial comments all the time and the fact that I'm a white South African, seems to give the green light to those who wish to express their racist views.
The time I spent in Europe, I saw different forms of antisemitism and hatred of Muslims, even the time spent in Germany/Austria saw at times tension Austrians/Germans/Bavarians.
In Asia a hatred of Japanese by the Chinese, in fact I had a Chinese friend who would not buy or touch anything that was labeled "Japan".
So welcome to the real world, as you see from the comments above, most commentators are clueless to what happens outside their little worlds.
critical times hard to deal with, will be here. Yes, welcome to the real world. the love of the greater has
cooled off.
John: seems pretty simple to me; the police are the company goons. Isn't it nice when the government is in bed with the rich. Laspos: I won't buy anything Japaneese over what they did to the Chineese. It wouldn't bother me if China invaded and anexed Japan. The Japaneese in Japan are scum.
If the police are the companies goons, explain why what started the violence was striking miners attacking others who wanted to go to work and ended up killing two security guards and two police officers.
Sounds like both sides should put down their arms looks like these people are slaves to the mining company with henchmen behind them
how they going to work without arms?..........................................:)
protecting themselves by the look of things
Can they disarm the mob of police too? They threaten, beat and murder people all the time. Also 34 of the miners have been killed. I think it's safe to say they expect violence against themselves.
Then they should find new jobs. Fighting wont get them anywhere except maybe dead.. It will take the government there to clean it up, if they are inclined to do so.. Which they probably arent considering the cops are acting as thugs for the company. Its a no win situation, they should bail.
and what other jobs would you suggest panhandling
"PIGS" are rotten the world over! Don't call them police...They are PIGS! Scum of the earth.
so what ya got against pigs? you some kinda Muslim fanatic?.............................:)
so the cops are after sticks and spears? ....just how the hell are they going to confiscate them all?.....
Next, they're going after rocks, the most used weapon in the history of man.
This is what gun control will look like in the U.S , if Obama and his minions get their way!
Except that the firearms owning populace in the US are a significant portion of the population and own more guns than the government. We also have more Spec Ops vets than the military has on active duty. Do I even need to say that US gun owners outnumber the Military by almost 30 to 1? Yes, I can foresee Obamao TRYING to outlaw and confiscate guns in the US. I don't imagine him succeeding in anything other than causing an armed revolt. BTW Thomas Jefferson advised an armed revolt every so often to keep those in government honest, and we are past due. As for the Second Amendment, one of the founding fathers (Washington or Jefferson) said that the right of the people to keep and bear arms was essential to allow them to defend themselves against those who would impose tyranny upon them, including their own government.
Wrong as usual. No one trying to dis arm you or me. I own a weapon,belong to the NRA but I do research when ever this comes up and you cant find anywhere(except in your mind) where it says that.
shazam111:
Never...ever use logic or common sense when trying to explain anything to a deluded person.
You boys have fun with your armed revolt. I'll... Well I won't say I'll ENJOY it... But watching your armed revolt get torn to pieces will be interesting.
factof the matter i would rather die on my feet than to serve on my knees.i am glad to hear you would like to see you fellow citizens die standing up for thier god given rights and cheer on a repressive govt.you my freind are a lemming!!!
Lt Scrounge
The american people might have more rifles than the military, but how many rifles equal one F-16?
The reason it wouldn't work in America is because the members of the Amercian military are HUGE supporters of the American citizens right tio bear arms.
In the oath of enlistment they swear to protect the constitution, which includes the second admendment to the constitution.
How ? they have guns, just guessing here but I'm pretty sure that would be considered superior firepower............
Huh! I wonder what has happened to all the anit-gun people who frequent this site? This is what you get when only the police and the military have guns. But when the truth is revealed to the anti-gunners they throw their blankets over their heads and pretend it didn't happen.
hey jesus and guns r good if the current admin gets its way this preveiw of how it will look.the anti gun clowns don't realize that without the 2nd admendment the first don't mean squat!!!and to think this is any different there than here you gotta be stupid to think!!!!
HAHAHAHA
"Jesus and guns are good"
God bless America!
If Jesus was alive today I am sure he would be an American Republican with a tons of guns. (and a racist if he was only around his friends)
Just joking, I think you are stupid.
send in Hillary, she can fire up the broom and fly over there with a bag full of cash. just cause it doesn't work doesn't mean she shouldn't do it. it is after all this administrations ONLY form of foreign policy...or domestic policy as far as that goes ..its all they know......its the lib mantra....throw money at it until it goes away ........................
Note the photos. That's what its going to look like when they try to disarm the US.
wrong ...here we have a bit more then sticks and spears, at least for now. providing of course Hillary / barry/ reid/ pelosi and company don't get their way.
youtube nopd
here's something to blow your mund. ever wonder why all precious stones are mention in the bible about heaven. except for the diamond? 666 is the weight of the building block that makes up the diamond. a diamond is made from carbon. wich we know comes from dead plants animals etc.
yeo thats a real mind blower ya got there, he says ....while casually glancing around for a club...........:)
Do some research, diamonds are carbon but they are made by a certain kind of vlocano called a kimberlite pipe. Not dead animals. That is a myth.
Wow...My mind is so blown right now...It is almost like "the blow that'l getcha when you get yur pickchah on the cover of the Rolling Stone..."
Clearly the diamond is now evil, and should be cast into hell...Send me yours and I will dispose of them for you. My address is 666 Lowdown evil guy@ hot mail .com.
So anyhow...In other news...The stuff we need to continue our Romanesque lifestyle...It comes with repression.
Coming to your neck of the woods soon :) Really it is not that far away ..............
It's amazing the fuss created over black police killing 34 black miners but nothing is said of the over 3,000 white farmers killed by blacks since the end of whit rule.
Mag...yours doesn't even derserve an answer!
never hear anything about rhodesia and the thousands of white farmers that were slaughtered.and how that country went from the breadbasket of africa to total ruin .all because they went to black ruling govt.oh $hit that sounds like america!!
Isn't black rule great ? The miners are being treated so fare under their government . It just doesn't get much better than this . Only shot 34 in one day . Good thing the white led government is gone because if the government was white the killings would be considered bad . Now there just considered the norm .
Wasn't white rule great? People murdered, disappeared all for the Glory of the Aryan tribe. I love how the Dutch divided the black people and then left and all hell broke loose, because those that had been oppressed and demeaned for years by the whites and the high (good) blacks. Genocide is wrong no matter who perpetrates it. Divide and conquer, it is what white men do best, until that gets turned against them and then its a totally different story.
Go ahead, call me a racist. I just gave back what numbnuts slifoxx dished out.
Sorry dum dum , but these people have always treated the own people like this . Not our fault .
really slifoxx, is that all you have. Okay ... listen up doo-doo head, if you were there then you have a dog in the hunt. If you were not there then take ya hate and shove it up your tight cavity.
this is what happens when the people are disarmed and cannot fight back against the u n storm troopers.
Why is so much made of 34 black miners, shot by BLACK policemen, and so little made of over 3,000 white farmers murdered and TORTURED by blacks since the end of white rule in South Africa?
Is this the sign of the times. Whites in the West having become so wishy-washy and riddled by a false sense of guilt?
You don't even deserve an answer..Magniloquence
The president of South Africa thinks rape is ok and is the fault of the women for luring the men to do it. He was charged with rape but, was found not guilty. He also thinks you can not catch HIV by simply taking a shower after sex. This guy currently have four wives and is looking for more. With this kind of a@@hole leading the country, no wonder South Africa is working backward to the stone age.
you can catch HIV by taking a shower after sex?
Yes...Now spread the word.
From 1950 to 1994 (during whit rule) the average annual 'illegal killings' (people killed by the police, killed in the border war, killed by whites, killed by blacks, killed by Mandela's people who placed bombd in restaurants and railway stations, etc) was 7,000+.
Since the end of white rule the (official) figure has risen to 20,000+ per year. If the 'official' figure is this, you can be assured that the ACTUAL figure is considerably more./ Interpol believes that the figure is probably between 45,000 and 50,000 per year.
I found these figures in 'The Guardian' and 'The telegraph' newspapers in London a couple of years ago.
Because of most whites living in 'gated villages' the number of whites being killed is about 2%. That means that, at best/worst (depending on your outlook) at least 18,000 blacks are being killed each year, compared to no more than, 7,000 during white rule.
Maybe you, TiredVoter, ARE a racist if you believe that things are better now, after all, they are getting rid of 11,000 more blacks a year now!!
And maybe you are an idiot. But since you do NOT know me and God forbid that I should EVER have to breath the same air as you. Then yes I am. I was responding to the idiot slifoxx, but you two seem to be cut from the same cloth. Like knows like and you two were made for each other.