Police step up security over S Africa mine strike

A heavy police contingent guarded platinum giant Lonmin's Marikana mine in South Africa on Tuesday to protect workers who quit a violent wildcat strike in which 44 people have died. The London-listed firm said only eight percent of its 28,000 staff had clocked in Tuesday, a further slide from 13 percent the previous day, amid fresh reports of threats against returning workers. "There are unsubstantiated reports of intimidation in two mining areas," the company said. "No incidents of violence have been reported. Management is appealing to all stakeholders to remain calm." Police had reduced their numbers at the mine in the wake of a deadly crackdown on August 16, when officers opened fire on the strikers and killed 34 of them, after earlier violence blamed on rival unions left 10 dead including two police officers. But the security force contingent had swelled Tuesday, as police sent reinforcements after strikers threatened to retaliate against colleagues who returned to work. Officers conducted random body searches outside the mine hostel and the informal settlement where the majority of the workers live. Armed private security guards also manned the gates and patrolled the mine grounds. Representatives of the miners -- who say they are acting independently of unions -- are set to meet Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant ahead of talks between the government, unions and mine management on Wednesday to broker what the company called a "peace accord". "We are hopeful that the talks will bring good news. It's not that the workers don't want to work, we want money," one of the strike leaders, Zolisa Bodlani, told AFP. "The government is our last hope," he said. Bodlani earlier told miners the Wednesday talks would determine whether they returned to work. Lonmin urged all parties to take part in the talks, which will be mediated by Oliphant, and said a deal would pave the way for negotiations on the crunch issue of wages, the central sticking point that led rock drill operators to first down tools on August 10. "The signing of a peace accord is considered the first step of the resolution process and will provide all parties with a framework within which agenda items -- such as wages -- can be discussed," the company said. Workers, who claim they earn 4,000 rand a month, are demanding 12,500 rand (1,190 euros, $1,490). Lonmin says they already earn around 10,000 rand when bonuses and other compensation are included.