JOHANNESBURG — South African police fired stun grenades to disperse striking miners Friday, acting hours after President Jacob Zuma’s government vowed to halt illegal protests and disarm strikers who it fears are threatening the country’s biggest industry.
It was the first time police have acted against protesting miners since they killed 34 strikers Aug. 16 at Lonmin platinum mine, outraging a nation scarred from state violence in apartheid days. Friday’s clash came as miners in the fifth week of a strike at the Lonmin mine rejected a company wage offer far below their demand.
“The government will no longer tolerate illegal gatherings and brandishing of weapons in this way,” said Justice Minister Jeff Radebe.
Within hours, police spokesman Brig. Thulani Ngubane said officers fired tear gas to disperse about 1,500 strikers outside an Xstrata Platinum mine. Previously they had allowed miners waving machetes, knives, spears and clubs to hold marches outside mines, demonstrations aimed at pressuring those inside to stop work.
Despite the police action, Xstrata said it has temporarily suspended operations at Kroondal mine “to ensure the safety and security of employees and assets” amid “rising tensions and protests.” The mine employs 5,300 workers who apparently were being threatened by outside strikers from Lonmin, Ngubane said.
Strikers are calling for walkouts at mines across South Africa, raising fears for the future of the crucial industry.
