Anglo Platinum mine workers have embarked on a wage increase strike. (REUTERS)
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Anglo American Platinum has appealed for calm at its Rustenburg mines following the killing of two men in clashes at the Nkaneng informal settlement. Amplats has confirmed that one of the victims was an employee. It said it was saddened at his death and sent condolences to his family.
Police say a man was shot and fatally wounded when about 400 people gathered at the informal settlement early yesterday. They were apparently trying to prevent people from going to work.The other man was burnt to death at the informal settlement and a minibus taxi was torched.
Dismissed miners also gathered at the Bathopele Mine, which is the only mine in the area operating normally, and tried to intimidate workers. Forty people have been arrested for public violence.
Meanwhile, talks to end the strikes in the gold mines will resume on Monday. Striking miners yesterday rejected a new wage package proposal. The mining bosses have offered to push the salaries of striking miners from entry level Grade 3 to Grade 4.
They have also offered two percent on top of the 10% wage increase agreed on last year. But the workers are demanding at least R12 500 a month.
