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
-
EPA cautions against entry into abandoned mine sites
10 minutes -
Court clears way for Daddy Lumba’s funeral on Saturday after applicants fail to meet GH¢2m payment deadline
16 minutes -
Cassona reaffirms long-term commitment to transforming healthcare infrastructure across ECOWAS
19 minutes -
Diana Hamilton clears medical bills for new mothers at Mamobi Hospital
21 minutes -
Author Joanna Trollope dies aged 82
25 minutes -
CyberSafe Foundation, Google.org to launch major cybersecurity project to protect millions across Africa
28 minutes -
Economic Fighters League stands in solidarity with unemployed nurses and teachers
31 minutes -
2025 WASSCE Low Performance: The reality and expectations for academic achievement
32 minutes -
Germany accuses Russia of 2024 cyber-attack and disinformation
45 minutes -
Car completely destroyed by fire at Shiashie
47 minutes -
A-G surcharges former NSA officials Osei Assibey Antwi and Gifty Oware-Mensah; orders refund of GH¢2.4bn
48 minutes -
Hospitality industry pushes back against utility tariff hikes
48 minutes -
Transport Minister promises strict enforcement of road traffic laws as parliament passes Okada Bill
50 minutes -
Daddy Lumba case: Court recalls lawyers, orders applicants to pay GH₵2m or funeral happens Saturday
1 hour -
Source to survival: The unsung heroes fueling Ghana’s food security
1 hour
