South Africa's mine clashes kill 30

Pretoria, 17 Aug – (ANA) - More than 30 people were killed in clashes between police and striking miners at a South African mine yesterdya, the police minister has said. Police opened fire after failing to disperse strikers armed with clubs and machetes at the Marikana mine. The Lonmin-owned platinum mine has been at the centre of a violent pay dispute, exacerbated by tensions between two rival trade unions. The incident was one of the bloodiest police operations since apartheid. Violence had already killed 10 people, including two police officers, since the strike began a week ago.  Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa confirmed the toll to a local radio station, adding: "A lot of people were injured and the number keeps on going up." The powerful National Union of Mineworkers put the figure at 36, according to AFP news agency. Police were sent to break up some 3,000 miners who had gathered on a hillside overlooking Marikana, which lies about 100 km (62 miles) north-west of Johannesburg, to call for a pay rise of more than $1,000 (£636) a month. The circumstances that led police to open fire remain unclear, but reports from eyewitnesses suggest the shooting took place after a group of demonstrators rushed at a line of police officers.  Police, armed with automatic rifles and pistols, fired dozens of shots, witnesses said. One witness, Molaole Montsho, of the South African news agency Sapa, said police had first used water cannon, tear gas and stun grenades in an attempt to break up the protest. "And then in the commotion - we were about 800m (2,600ft) from the scene - we heard gunshots that lasted for about two minutes," he said. Police ministry spokesman Zweli Mnisi defended the actions of police, saying they had a right to defend themselves. (ANA)

FA/ANA/17 August 2012---------