Anglo American Platinum fired 12,000 striking miners

[cratehorus]

Hundreds of the 12,000 miners fired by the world's largest platinum producer in South Africa have gathered to protest their dismissal and mourn a colleague killed in clashes with police.

"If they are not willing to talk to us many things will be burnt starting from today"

- Hendrick Mpondo, 27, miner


The workers meeting on Saturday at a stadium in the northern town of Rustenburg, 120km northwest of Johannesburg, would also debate how to respond to the mass dismissal by Anglo American Platinum (Amplats).

"Ignore those SMS's you've received saying you have been dismissed," one labour leader was quoted as saying by radio broadcaster Eyewitness News.

Groups of workers from various shafts made their way into the stadium under police escort, singing and chanting slogans, while a helicopter circled the area.

Late on Thursday, one miner was killed when police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a group of 300 illegal strikers protesting on a hilltop close to the mines.

The independent police watchdog is investigating the man's death "as the incident appeared to have arisen from police action," according to police spokesperson Emelda Setlhako.

With around 100,000 workers currently on strike across the country, South African President Jacob Zuma - who has publicly kept his distance from the crisis - has called for the work stoppages to end.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/201...24879.html