Marikana mine press conference, miners outside mine скачать в хорошем качестве

Marikana mine press conference, miners outside mine

(28 Aug 2012) Striking miners at a South African platinum mine have met with local religious leaders, and reiterated their demand for an increased minimum wage. The miners want a monthly wage of 12-thousand 5-hundred rand (1560 US dollars) from mine owners Lonmin. That's up from the current 5-thousand 5-hundred rand (690 US dollars). "Without 12-thousand 5-hundred the workers will remain at the mountain" said Zolisa Bodlani, representing the striking miners. South Africa's police are investigating the shooting deaths of 34 striking mine workers at the Lonmin platinum mine on August 16th. Another 78 strikers were wounded and police are also looking into allegations that more than 150 arrested miners have since been beaten in police custody. On Tuesday, court proceedings at a nearby town against the arrested workers were halted after a power cut at the building. Some 256 miners arrested at the scene of the shootings were brought to court to face charges from murder to public violence. On Monday, families protested outside the court, calling for their release. In the fallout from the killings, the bitter mine strike has strengthened. Only 13 percent of workers reported for duty Monday - down from 30 percent on Friday and 50 percent on Saturday. Lonmin has suffered a serious hit to its share price and has said it probably cannot meet debt payments, due next month, because of the strike. The police killings of the 34 strikers - the worst display of state violence since apartheid ended in 1994 - have shocked the nation and damaged the reputation of Jacob Zuma and his governing ANC, already fractured over his bid for re-election as party president in December. As party president, he would be all but guaranteed a second term as president of South Africa. Zuma's enemies say the police shootings highlight what they say is the party's disregard for the poor. The ANC has been unable to stem massive unemployment. Many in South Africa have inadequate housing, lack electricity and access to adequate education and health services. The Independent Police Complaints Directorate has opened dockets investigating 34 murders and 32 attempted murders in the police shootings. Zuma is reported to have given the order for police to end an illegal and violent strike that began Aug. 10 and which had left 10 people killed even before the mass shootings, including two police officers hacked to death by strikers who also burned alive two mine security guards. Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega has faced criticism for telling her officers that they "did nothing wrong." She has said she gave the order to use live ammunition, arguing the police acted in self-defence after they were shot at. No police officers were hurt when a group of miners charged at them, one seen holding a pistol and others armed with homemade clubs and spears. Police said they recovered six handguns from the scene of the shootings northwest of Johannesburg. The police investigation is separate from a judicial commission of inquiry that Zuma has appointed under a retired Supreme Court judge given wide-ranging powers to investigate whether police used appropriate force. The commission will also probe the actions of government officials and Lonmin. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...