Lonmin 'rats' told to strike

Rustenburg - Some workers who turned up for work at Lonmin's [JSE:LON] Marikana mine were instructed by striking colleagues to down tools on Tuesday.

This was according to an employee, who works as a smelter, and who opted not to join the strike.

He said a group of men - also employees - arrived at the eastern side of the mine and told him and others to stop working.

"A group of them arrived and told us to not betray the dead miners, and stop working.

"They called us 'amagundwane' and started singing," said the worker who wanted to remain anonymous.

"Amagundwane" (which is the isi-Zulu word for rats) is a name given to employees who go to work while their colleagues are on strike.

The worker said work stopped for a few hours while the group went outside and continued singing.

It was not clear who dispersed the group.

Lonmin spokesperson Barnard Mokoena confirmed the incident.

"There was a disturbance at one of our sides by a group of workers. A statement regarding the incident will be issued shortly."

* Follow Fin24 on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.