South African miners threaten new march

17 Sep 2012, 7:32 pm   -   Source: AAP
South Africa's president defended government action taken over a deadly protest by miners. (AAP)

South Africa's president defended government action taken over a deadly protest by miners. (AAP)

Striking miners hungry after five weeks of no pay are threatening to march despite a South African government-ordered clampdown to halt illegal protests.

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Striking miners hungry after five weeks of no pay and enraged by police firing rubber bullets and tear gas are threatening to march despite a government-ordered clampdown to halt illegal protests and strikes damaging South Africa's critical mining sector.

Armed soldiers and police in armoured cars stood at the ready on Monday at Lonmin PLC's platinum mine.

The presence of 1000 soldiers trucked into the "platinum belt" 100 kilometres northwest of Johannesburg has escalated tensions over union rivalries and higher pay demands that have stopped work at one gold and six platinum mines.

On Saturday, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at a shantytown neighbouring Lonmin mine, where officers killed 34 miners on August 16.

On Sunday, police persuaded hundreds of Anglo American strikers to halt an illegal protest without violence.

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