* Police raid Lonmin hostel for weapons
* Tear gas, rubber bullets used to disperse miners
* S.Africa has vowed to crack down on weapons
* Union says received new offer from Lonmin
By Joshua Nhlapo
MARIKANA, South Africa, Sept 15 (Reuters) – South African
police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse striking
miners on Saturday after seizing machetes and other weapons in
an early-morning raid likely to aggravate tension from five
weeks of labour unrest.
The police took action a day after South Africa promised to
crack down on “illegal gatherings” and the carrying of weapons
by strikers, toughening its stance on strikes that have choked
off platinum output in the world’s top producer of the metal.
About 500 police officers raided hostels at Lonmin’s
Karee platinum mine near Marikana – where police killed
34 miners last month – and seized spears, machetes and other
weapons, police spokesman Thulani Ngubane said.
The wildcat strike at Lonmin, prompted by demands for higher
pay, has spread to other mining companies, raised questions
about the ruling ANC’s slow response and damaged South Africa’s
reputation among foreign investors.
Continued…
