A female employee has been shot and killed near the controversial Marikana mine, according to platinum producer Lonmin.
The shooting is the latest in a string of incidents that underscore the fragile labour environment at the site of last year’s violent strike, which left dozens dead.
The union shop steward was shot on Monday morning while walking near her home in the community next to the mine, a Lonmin spokeswoman said. The National Union of Mineworkers said the woman was one of its leaders at the Marikana mine and described the killing as ‘cold-blooded murder’.
It is not clear whether Monday’s killing is connected to the conflict between the NUM and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, which was formed last year.
The rivalry between the National Union of Mineworkers, which is aligned with South Africa’s ruling African National Congress, and relative newcomer the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union has fuelled much of the labour unrest. AMCU has usurped NUM’s dominance, attracting new members on the promise of higher wages and better working conditions. At Lonmin, AMCU has 70% of unionised employees, along with a majority at Anglo American Platinum Ltd., the world’s largest producer.
One Lonmin employee said tensions remain high between the two unions and “if people can hear you talking about the situation they can kill you.”
