Share

Man shot dead during protest at Rustenburg mine

accreditation
Mine. Picture: File
Mine. Picture: File

A man was shot dead on Wednesday evening during a protest at the Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine in Rustenburg.

The Royal Bafokeng Platinum Mine said that more than 100 protesters had tried to gain access to a locked shaft on the mine.

“According to information available, there were community members on their way to hand over a memorandum to the mine, but there was a shooting that started between mine security and community members, and this 37-year-old male was killed,” North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh, said.

She added that the incident was reported to the police at 8.40pm on Wednesday evening.

The Royal Bafokeng Platinum Mine said that its security personnel had opened fire with rubber bullets and paintballs.

“An individual within the crowd was shot and killed by live ammunition. Based on preliminary evidence, including video footage, it is believed that the shooting was from within the group of protesters. The deceased was not employed by RBPlat,” read a statement.

Myburgh, however, said that it was difficult to confirm whether the person was shot by a mine security personnel or one of the community members, adding that a post-mortem would determine the cause of death.

“Information shows us that security was using rubber bullets, and some of the community members were using sharp ammunition, so it’s difficult to say definitely at this stage,” she said.

The mining company extended its condolences to the family.

“During the incident, the protesters set fire to a conveyor belt, of which approximately 200m was burnt. A boom gate, as well as a guard house, were also damaged. There was no other damage to mine property, or injury to mine employees,” read a statement from the mine.

Myburgh said no arrests had been made.

The protest was allegedly over the dismissal, in December, of 14 employees who were involved in a strike protesting the suspension of services by the local municipality.

The mine called for calm, noting other protest action in the area.

Several houses were set alight and people were injured in ongoing violent protests in Rustenburg on Wednesday afternoon, police said.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said it remained unclear what sparked the violent protests, but indications were that “the burnt houses are those occupied by foreign nationals”.

On Monday violence erupted at a local taxi rank. It was alleged that taxi drivers were involved in a clash with suspected drug dealers.

Mokgwabone said it was unclear how many people were involved in Wednesday’s “criminal acts”.

“The police are currently working very hard to bring normality in the area,” Mokgwabone said. – News24

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you believe that the various planned marches against load shedding will prompt government to bring solutions and resolve the power crisis?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes
21% - 103 votes
No
79% - 397 votes
Vote