The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has called for parties involved in the Lonmin strike to find amicable solutions.
“While the right to strike must not only be respected but also protected as a basic human right, violence and subsequent loss of life as a result of strike action cannot be condoned, regardless of the source of such violence and loss of life,” the foundation said on Friday.
It appealed to all the parties to find an amicable solution to the ongoing strike so that peace, quiet and productivity could return to the Lonmin community.
Earlier, President Jacob Zuma announced that he would set up a commission of inquiry into the killing of the workers.
“The inquiry will enable us to get to the real cause of the incident, and to derive the necessary lessons,” Zuma said.
Lonmin mine committed to fund the education of children whose parents died.
The platinum producer said it would also establish a help desk to help the grieving families with identification of their loved ones and burial arrangements.
A total of 34 people were killed in a shootout that erupted near the mine on Thursday when police tried to disperse striking miners.
More than 78 people were injured. Another 10 people had by then been killed in the violent protests at the mine over the past week.
The protests were believed to be linked to rivalry between the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) over recognition agreements at the mine. Workers also wanted higher wages. - Sapa