More than 3,000 striking South African miners marched through streets near Lonmin's Marikana mine yesterday, the largest protest at the hot spot since police shot dead 34 of their colleagues last month.
Police armed with tear gas and assault rifles deployed armoured vehicles and helicopters to keep an eye on the protesters in the strongest show of force since the aftermath of the 16 August shooting. A man at the front of the marchers waved a placard reading, "We want 12,500 or nothing else", a reference to the demand for a hike in basic pay to 12,500 rand (£935) a month, more than double their current salary.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies