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Lonmin violence claims fourth life

Johannesburg - A fourth man has been killed at Lonmin's [JSE:LON] Marikana mine in the North West, the platinum producer said on Monday.

"The employee was found with five gunshot wounds," spokesman Barnard Mokwena said in a statement.

It was not immediately clear when the man was killed. His body was found on the mine premises on Monday afternoon. Police had been sent to the mine.

Provincial police commissioner, Lt-Gen Zukiswa Mbombo, was reportedly involved in the investigations.

The third man died in hospital after being attacked with a panga.

"He was hacked with a panga after he and his colleagues came out of an evening shift on Sunday," Mokwena.

Several other workers were injured. They had been treated and discharged from hospital.

Two security guards were killed when their car was set alight on Sunday. Four other workers were shot and wounded on Friday and Saturday.

North West police spokesman Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said the protesters also burnt eight vehicles parked on the company's premises on Sunday.

"We are investigating a case of murder, arson, and malicious damage to property, but no arrests have been made," Ngubane said.

Members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) were reportedly fighting for control of local mines.

Amcu secretary Jeff Mphahlele said his union did not encourage violence and was not responsible.

"We have been recruiting across the country and have at times been met with resistance. Four of our members were shot at in Marikana, but they never retaliated," he said.

NUM spokesman Lesiba Seshoka said the police knew who the perpetrators were.

"They are actually aware of who is responsible for this violence. The police are part of the problem."

Seshoka said the union would ask Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa to intervene.

In February, the two unions clashed over membership at Impala Platinum's mines in Rustenburg. 
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