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Johannesburg - A platinum miner who shunned a long-running strike was found stabbed to death as negotiations continued to end four months of stoppages.
"We can confirm that our member who is from Mozambique was killed at Sondela Squatter Camp in Rustenburg when he was on his way to work," said National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) branch chairperson Steve Modimokwane.
The man worked at an Anglo American Platinum mine, which denounced intimidation of non-strikers.
"He is one of the NUM members who returned to work last week and he was threatened that he should stop going to work by the striking workers," said Modimokwane in a statement.
Anglo Platinum (Amplats) [JSE:AMS] confirmed and condemned the killing.
"While the company recognises employees have the right to strike, it is also imperative that those employees who want to work should be allowed to do so without fear of violence and intimidation," it said in a statement.
Police spokesperson Thulani Ngubane confirmed a killing in the area, stating that no arrests had been made.
He said the 36-year-old man suffered multiple stab wounds to the stomach, head and neck.
"The police are investigating a case of murder and no one has been arrested at this stage."
Ngubane said police will maintain a strong presence in the area to ensure safety.
There have been around half a dozen murders believed linked to the strike, which began on January 23 and which has seen around 80 000 mineworkers down tools.
Most have been blamed on continuing rivalry between the NUM and its usurper the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), which has spearheaded the industrial action to double basic wages.
Last week a NUM member was hacked to death, a second one was burnt to death in his house, while a third was found strangled to death along with his wife in their shack.
Six others survived stabbings while walking to work on Monday last week.
Amcu and top three global producers Impala Platinum (Implats) [JSE:IMP], Lonmin [JSE:LON] and Amplats were locked in court-mediated talks on Thursday to solve the impasse over demands of R12 500 in basic wages.
The union has rejected an offer to increase the salary package, including allowances, to that figure by 2017.
The Labour Court stepped in after government and independent mediators failed to break the deadlock.
"We can confirm that our member who is from Mozambique was killed at Sondela Squatter Camp in Rustenburg when he was on his way to work," said National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) branch chairperson Steve Modimokwane.
The man worked at an Anglo American Platinum mine, which denounced intimidation of non-strikers.
"He is one of the NUM members who returned to work last week and he was threatened that he should stop going to work by the striking workers," said Modimokwane in a statement.
Anglo Platinum (Amplats) [JSE:AMS] confirmed and condemned the killing.
"While the company recognises employees have the right to strike, it is also imperative that those employees who want to work should be allowed to do so without fear of violence and intimidation," it said in a statement.
Police spokesperson Thulani Ngubane confirmed a killing in the area, stating that no arrests had been made.
He said the 36-year-old man suffered multiple stab wounds to the stomach, head and neck.
"The police are investigating a case of murder and no one has been arrested at this stage."
Ngubane said police will maintain a strong presence in the area to ensure safety.
There have been around half a dozen murders believed linked to the strike, which began on January 23 and which has seen around 80 000 mineworkers down tools.
Most have been blamed on continuing rivalry between the NUM and its usurper the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), which has spearheaded the industrial action to double basic wages.
Last week a NUM member was hacked to death, a second one was burnt to death in his house, while a third was found strangled to death along with his wife in their shack.
Six others survived stabbings while walking to work on Monday last week.
Amcu and top three global producers Impala Platinum (Implats) [JSE:IMP], Lonmin [JSE:LON] and Amplats were locked in court-mediated talks on Thursday to solve the impasse over demands of R12 500 in basic wages.
The union has rejected an offer to increase the salary package, including allowances, to that figure by 2017.
The Labour Court stepped in after government and independent mediators failed to break the deadlock.
