Situation at S. African platinum mine stabilizing

JOHANNESBURG - The situation at the Lonmin Marikana Platinum is "stabilizing" and negotiations are continuing to resolve the labor dispute, the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) said on Wednesday.

The IMC, appointed by President Jacob Zuma to investigate the incident, also commended South Africans for the support they have provided to bereaved families and those working "tirelessly" to ensure that stability prevails at the mine.

However, it condemned, in the strongest possible terms, those who incited violence in which 44 people were killed last month, including 34 miners who were shot dead by police.

"Those who issue irresponsible and provocative statements must realize the gravity of their actions and must take responsibility," said Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane who is heading the IMC.

Last week, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) blamed some politicians for using the tragic to score political points.

Chabane said such statements "provoke emotions" of people and do not "assist the country in the process of healing".

"As leaders, we need to be responsible when we make statements," Chabane said.

"We need to be mindful that people have lost their lives and families are in grief. Government has a responsibility to maintain law and order and therefore will not tolerate any irresponsible and unwarranted provocation from any quarters of our society," he added.

Chabane said Pretoria guarantees the right of all citizens to protest in accordance with the Constitution. But the committee called on anyone who wishes to protest to follow the law and desist from carrying dangerous weapons during these protests.

"The carrying of dangerous weapons in circumstances which have the potential to result in violence does not assist in any way to advance the cause of those who are protesting and adherence to the law is paramount in this regard."

On Wednesday, the striking workers rejected a peace pact, demanding that their salaries be raised.

As the Marikana issue is still unresolved, the IMC also expressed concerned with the labor situation which is erupting in other local mines. It said the dialogue will continue until the issue is resolved.

The committee calls on all law enforcement agencies to do anything necessary to prevent any further loss of lives and ensure that both private and public property is protected.