Cosatu supports the National Union of Mineworkers. (SABC)
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The Congress of the South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has called on the rival union to put an end to the violence at Lonmin's platinum mine at Marikana in NorthWest.
North West secretary, Solly Phetoe , says Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) should give miners freedom to choose a union. He has also urged the police to arrest the killers. Cosatu supports the National Union of Mineworkers (Num).
In February, the two unions clashed over membership at Impala Platinum's mines in Rustenburg.
The death toll in an apparent turf war between the two labour unions at the mine now stands at nine. Five mineworkers, two police officers and two security guards have died in the violence.
One police officer has been stabbed with a spear and is in a critical condition. The chaos started last Friday, when four mineworkers were shot and critically wounded during a protest march over wages. Members of the Num and the Amcu are reportedly fighting for control of local mines.
The area remains volatile and police are still at the scene. Additional reporting by Sapa
