Johannesburg: South African police on Wednesday said they have made four new arrests in connection with killings during a labour dispute at Marikana Lonmin platinum mine that has killed nearly 50 people since August.
The latest arrests take the numbers of civilians being held over the killings, to eight.
Police spokesman Brigadier Thulani Ngubane, said the four were arrested on Tuesday at a police checkpoint in the mining town.
Last week up to 4,000 workers at Lonmin mine in Marikana downed tools for a day over police harassment after the arrest of four more of their colleagues.
Ten people, including two policemen were killed during a wildcat strike, before police moved in and shot dead 34 protesting miners in chilling scenes reminiscent of apartheid brutality.
Three other people, including two unionists and a local government councillor have since been killed in the dusty mining town north-west of Johannesburg.
Ngubane said all those arrested are mineworkers and “they are facing murder” charges.
An investigation has opened into the deadly violence — focusing especially on the killing of the 34 miners by police.
— AFP
