 Miners shot by police
Police opened fire on striking miners at Lonmin's Marikana mine in North West at about 4pm - and at least six people appear to have been fatally wounded in the clash.
City Press could not immediately confirm the number of injuries or fatalities, but saw about six people lying unmoving in the aftermath of the shooting.
The protest was peaceful all day, with miners gathered on a hill singing before police moved in with teargas, rubber bullets and live ammunition.
Earlier, union officials had addressed the workers, pleading with them to return to work - but the workers said they wanted management to come and address them before they would disperse.
Police armoured vehicles moved in, supported by officers on the ground, who fired on protesters as they marched towards the squatter camp near Karee mine. When the shooting started, most of the workers scattered into the open fields across the mining area.
The area around the bodies was cordoned off, and police helicopters hovered overhead.
- City Press
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