File photo
Johannesburg:
As many as 4,000 workers at the Marikana platinum mine in South Africa, which was the scene of deadly violence in August, have renewed a work stayaway on Thursday, owners Lonmin said, amid allegations of police harassment.
"This morning, about 4,000 workers did not go underground, but subsequently some did. It's volatile," said Sue Vey, a spokeswoman for the London-listed firm, which was rocked by the police killing of 34 workers on August 16.
"It is too early to call it a strike," said Ms Vey.
The stoppage appears to have been prompted by workers' anger at a series of police arrests in recent days.
"The guys are concerned," said Zolisa Bodlani, a worker representative. "There were some guys that were arrested during the weekend."
The police were unreachable for comment.
Workers are expected to gather later in the day and deliver a memorandum to managers to "show their concern about those guys that were arrested," Mr Bodlani added.
Employees at the mine have been back at work for almost a month, after the worst violence seen in post-apartheid South Africa prompted management to agree to a substantial pay rise.
In all 46 people were killed, both workers and police, over weeks of violence that are now being investigated by a government-appointed commission of inquiry.
The panel, led by a retired judge, is expected to resume deliberations on Monday.
"This morning, about 4,000 workers did not go underground, but subsequently some did. It's volatile," said Sue Vey, a spokeswoman for the London-listed firm, which was rocked by the police killing of 34 workers on August 16.
"It is too early to call it a strike," said Ms Vey.
The stoppage appears to have been prompted by workers' anger at a series of police arrests in recent days.
"The guys are concerned," said Zolisa Bodlani, a worker representative. "There were some guys that were arrested during the weekend."
The police were unreachable for comment.
Workers are expected to gather later in the day and deliver a memorandum to managers to "show their concern about those guys that were arrested," Mr Bodlani added.
Employees at the mine have been back at work for almost a month, after the worst violence seen in post-apartheid South Africa prompted management to agree to a substantial pay rise.
In all 46 people were killed, both workers and police, over weeks of violence that are now being investigated by a government-appointed commission of inquiry.
The panel, led by a retired judge, is expected to resume deliberations on Monday.
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