Johannesburg - The dispute at Lonmin's mine in Marikana in the North West should be peacefully resolved, the South African Council of Churches said on Thursday.
“Today the SACC delegation led by the President Bishop Jo Seoka and the general secretary Reverend Mautji Pataki paid a pastoral and fact-finding mission to both the workers and management at Lonmin mines,” the SACC said.
“The impression we gained is that both parties are willing to engage one another provided the level of hostility is reduced to allow peaceful interaction and resolution.”
The SACC committed itself to assist in creating an atmosphere conducive for negotiations to proceed.
The council was, however, disappointed that when it appeared there was an opportunity for negotiation, violence erupted which reportedly led to the loss of life and injury.
This route should always be avoided in any situation of conflict.
The SACC said: “We call upon the police to exercise restraint in the use of force as they seek to maintain law and order. We also call upon workers and management to resume negotiations as a matter of urgency.”
The SACC maintained that it was only through meaningful and peaceful dialogue that all parties affected by the conflict could find a solution.
A shoot-out between police and strikers at the mine left at least 18 people dead or wounded on Thursday. - Sapa