‘Police did their best’: Mthethwa

A policeman collects weapons that were supposedly used by protesting miners after they were shot outside a South African mine in Rustenburg, 100 km (62 miles) northwest of Johannesburg, August 16, 2012. South African police opened fire on Thursday against thousands of striking miners armed with machetes and sticks at Lonmin's Marikana platinum mine, leaving several bloodied corpses lying on the ground. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

A policeman collects weapons that were supposedly used by protesting miners after they were shot outside a South African mine in Rustenburg, 100 km (62 miles) northwest of Johannesburg, August 16, 2012. South African police opened fire on Thursday against thousands of striking miners armed with machetes and sticks at Lonmin's Marikana platinum mine, leaving several bloodied corpses lying on the ground. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Published Aug 16, 2012

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Marikana, North West -

Police at Lonmin's mine in Marikana in the North West did their best in a volatile situation, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa's office said in a statement on Thursday.

“The Minister (Mthetwa) is now considering requesting the President to institute a full inquiry into this whole situation, not just around what happened today but holistically at this situation,” said spokesman Zweli Mnisi.

“Now what should police do in such situations when clearly what they are faced with are armed and hardcore criminals who murder police?”

A shoot-out between police and strikers at the mine left at least 18 people dead or wounded on Thursday.

Mnisi said police initially tried to peacefully disperse the crowd, to the point of even using water cannons and teargas, but this did not help.

Such efforts were countered with the murder of police officers, he said.

“We had a situation where people who were armed to the teeth, attacked and killed others even police officers and, for the record, one of the firearms used was that of our deceased police officer.”

The behaviour of those who were involved in such criminal activity was condemned, with it disguised under the banner of a right to illegally protest, accompanied by violence.

Mnisi called for restraint and that if demands needed to be raised with whoever, that it be done within the framework and respect for the Constitution.

The ministry offered their condolences to the families of the deceased and a speedy recovery to the injured.

“What happened today at Lonmin is something that was unfortunate and should not have happened in post democracy South Africa because to protest is a legal and constitutional right of any citizen.”

However, such rights did not imply people should be barbaric, intimidatory and hold illegal gatherings, said Mnisi.

President Jacob Zuma was alarmed and deeply saddened at the way the dispute at Lonmin's mine had degenerated to lead to the tragic loss of so many lives, the presidency said in a statement.

“We are shocked and dismayed at this senseless violence. We believe there is enough space in our democratic order for any dispute to be resolved through dialogue without any breaches of the law or violence,” Zuma said.

“We call upon the labour movement and business to work with government to arrest the situation before it deteriorates any further.”

Zuma said he had instructed law enforcement agencies to do everything possible to bring the situation under control and to bring the perpetrators of violence to book.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of all who have lost their lives since the beginning of this violent action,” Zuma said. - Sapa

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