Pretoria - The North West provincial government has appealed for calm in Rustenburg mining areas following yet another murder.
This follows the death of yet another shop steward of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union at the Wonderkop Mining family unit. Mvelisi Biyela, a health and safety office bearer at Lonmin, was gunned down in front of his wife and 6-year-old daughter.
He is alleged to have been shot in the back of his head as well as on his lower back.
There have been other deaths of Amcu members in the Platinum Belt. A senior official of the union was shot and killed outside an Impala Platinum (Implats) mine two weeks ago.
North West premier Supra Mahumapelo has condemned the incident and pleaded for calm in the Rustenburg mining areas. “We can’t continue to kill each other. We need to have a total regard for human life and we must never seize to talk to each other, never mind how difficult the situation is,” Mahumapelo said. The Biyelas were visiting friends at another block and upon return, they noticed two men seated at the corner of the building. They passed them and suddenly heard gun shots and the victim fell down, said Biyela’s wife.
“Killing each other will never resolve the challenges we face. We must at all times embrace any chance of talking to each other.
"Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. We wish them strength during this difficult time,” said Mahumapelo.
Police did not rule out that the incident could be union related.