Five killed as mining unions wage turf war

Five people including a police officer have been killed in clashes between unions at a South African platinum mine, the most deadly round of violence in an eight-month turf war rocking the sector.

Mine operator Lonmin yesterday said the situation remained “volatile” at its Western Platinum mine, 60 miles north-west of Johannesburg. The plant is currently operating at reduced capacity and remains under heavy police guard.

“We are expecting the situation to return to calm given the level of security on site,” executive vice-president Barnard Mokwena said.

The dead policeman was killed by a machete, while another officer attacked in the same incident was seriously wounded, police spokesman Thulani Ngubane said.

The clashes involve a struggle for membership between the dominant National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union.

Two security guards were hacked to death on Sunday, while NUM said one of its members was killed the same day after being ambushed while trying to report for duty. Lonmin said a worker had been found dead with gunshot wounds.

The trouble began on Friday with an illegal strike at the mine.