South African police kill 34 protesters

[Loki]

You can see the killings here (graphic, be warned):

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=bfb_1345136218

[Loki]

South Africa Lonmin killings: Anger over missing miners

Many families of miners caught up in violence at a platinum mine in South Africa are unaware of their fate, two days after 34 people were killed when police opened fire at striking workers.

Angry relatives say the authorities have not produced a list of the dead.

At least 78 people were also injured and more than 200 people arrested.

Meanwhile, thousands of the miners have cheered on controversial youth leader Julius Malema who called for the president to resign over the clashes.

On Friday, President Jacob Zuma visited the area - about 100km (60 miles) north-west of Johannesburg - and announced an inquiry into the violence, calling the deaths there "tragic".



The circumstances that led police to open fire remain unclear, but reports from eyewitnesses suggest the shooting took place after a group of demonstrators, some holding clubs and machetes, rushed at a line of police officers.

Police, armed with automatic rifles and pistols, fired dozens of shots.

"I am convinced that the Commission of Inquiry will uncover the truth and facts will emerge," he said in a statement after meeting police and injured workers.

'Illegal strike'

Thoe Nkonke, a reporter for South Africa's Radio 702 at the scene, told the BBC that women had been going to local hospitals and mortuaries to look for their relatives, but without success.

They are angry that no central register has been produced of the victims of the violence that took place at a platinum mine in Marikana, owned by Lonmin.

Police spokesman Captain Dennis Adriao said officers were using the mine's database to contact the families of those killed, injured or arrested, but it could take some time.

[Xenomorph]

I saw the video a few days ago, horrible stuff. From what I've read, both sides were partially in the wrong; the police are incredibly corrupt and, but the strikers were heavily armed and prone to extreme violence.

[Onur]

It`s horrible. I cant imagine how this happens in 2012.

[Graus]

Dont you know South Africa became a paradise once the Kaffer took over? Negros acting all savage and killing each other, thats unheard of, the ANC has no sins! I blame white people...

[Anusiya]

Dont you know South Africa became a paradise once the Kaffer took over? Negros acting all savage and killing each other, thats unheard of, the ANC has no sins! I blame white people...

That's clearly a black man from the Hutu clan. Look at the "nigger" who dares to show his face after ordering the shootings. Damn "niggers"...

[Graham]

This is the kind of news you'd expect from a country under dictatorship or heading towards civil war or what not.

Haven't seen the video. Heard about police being killed by the miners before this happened. Machettes and other weapons.

Both sides being guilty. But you can understand if it's self defence.

[Graham]

Watching the video now. An example of 'Overkill'.

The rates at which they are payed is crap for mining Platinum. I sympathise to that point.

[Loki]

Watching the video now. An example of 'Overkill'.

The rates at which they are payed is crap for Platinum.

I can't see the video anymore - I get a "bad gateway". Anyone else experiencing this?

[rashka]

You can see the killings here (graphic, be warned):

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=bfb_1345136218

I clicked on this and got bad gateway.