Audio By Carbonatix
South African police have fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters near a mine owned by Anglo American, a day after a deal ended a strike in Marikana.
"We are not tolerating any illegal gatherings," a police spokesman said.
Workers at the Lonmin-owned Marikana platinum mine ended their six-week strike after accepting a 22% pay rise.
The strikes have spread to other mines in South Africa, one of the world's biggest producers of precious metals.
On Monday, President Jacob Zuma said that the disruption had cost the industry $548m (£337m) in lost output.
The unrest came as Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), the world's largest platinum producer, re-opened its mines after they were closed last week following huge protests.
Amplats spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole said the mines in Rustenburg, the centre of South Africa's platinum mining - about 80km (50 miles) north-east of Johannesburg - were operational.
She said the police had "dispersed a group of people gathering illegally at Sondela informal settlement [near the mine]" and said it was not clear if they were Amplats workers.
Celebrating
"Police utilised tear gas and stun grenades, and rubber bullets were used at the squatter camp," said police spokesman Captain Dennis Adriao.
"As we have said, we are not tolerating any illegal gatherings," he said.
After weeks of unrest, the government last week announced that it would clamp down on the protests.
In the nearby Marikana mine, where police last month shot dead 34 protesters, workers were celebrating the end of the strike, reports the AP news agency.
Riddick Mofokeng, another miner, said he felt good about the deal. "It is not what we expected to get, but it is great," he said.
"Most of the people, we are ready to go back to work."
The miners had been demanding a monthly salary of 12,500 rand ($1,513; £935) - they currently earn between 4,000 and 5,000 rand.
As well as a pay rise of 11-22%, they will get a one-off payment of 2,000 rand to help cover the weeks of not being paid while they were on strike.
Analysts had warned that the Lonmin deal could encourage other mines to down tools to obtain pay hikes.
Some 15,000 miners at Gold Fields remain on strike.
Last month, police opened fire on demonstrators at the mine in Marikana, killing 34 striking workers. Ten people, including two police officers, had already died in the protests.
President Zuma has ordered a judicial inquiry into what has become known as the "Marikana massacre" - the deadliest police action since the end of apartheid in 1994.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
GES probes alleged feeding problems at Savelugu Senior High School
1 minute -
Government is reviewing Saglemi Housing deal and private takeover – Kwakye Ofosu
18 minutes -
Nana Ama McBrown, Kate Henshaw headline Women of Valour London 2026
21 minutes -
David Asante’s contributions at GPCL must be recognised – Vicky Bright
28 minutes -
I don’t want my people to be mistreated by ICE — Ambassador Victor Smith tells US Senator
32 minutes -
Detained fugitives: If you’re not prepared to be accountable, don’t hold public office – Vicky Bright
39 minutes -
Adutwum outlines vision for a growth-minded Ghana, draws lessons from global experiences
41 minutes -
I wish former CSA boss Dr Antwi-Boasiako continues in office – Sampson Lardy
42 minutes -
Kotoko maintain title ambition despite mixed results – Sarfo Duku
50 minutes -
NPP Flagbearer Race: Dr Adutwum speaks on economy, Ghana’s current gains, and more
52 minutes -
We must show zero tolerance for corruption and punish political elites – Susan Adu-Amankwah
56 minutes -
I’ll raise the needed funds to win on January 31 – Adutwum
58 minutes -
Adutwum urges calm in NPP, tells Frimpong-Boateng to look ahead to better days
1 hour -
Your choice will shape NPP’s future – Adutwum to delegates
1 hour -
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu must be arrested immediately on arrival; sent to prison – Ex-Deputy AG
1 hour
