Lonmin mineworker gunned down

Miners return to work at the Lonmin Platinum mine after Lonmin resolved a five-week strike by agreeing to pay raises of up to 22 percent, in Marikana, Rustenburg, South Africa, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

Miners return to work at the Lonmin Platinum mine after Lonmin resolved a five-week strike by agreeing to pay raises of up to 22 percent, in Marikana, Rustenburg, South Africa, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

Published Dec 19, 2013

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Segwaelane - A Lonmin mineworker has been shot dead near Bethanie, while on his way to work, North West police said on Thursday.

Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said the 47-year-old miner, from Lesotho, was shot dead in Segwaelane, about 20km from Bethanie, on Tuesday.

He was shot six times. His body was found lying next to a road. No arrests had been made.

On Wednesday, North West premier Thandi Modise said three men had been arrested for three murders linked to violence at mines in Marikana. This followed the November murder of former National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) shop steward Percy Letanang. He was shot seven times at his home in Segwaelane. A woman National Union of Mineworkers (Amcu) shop steward was shot dead outside her home in August. Another man was shot dead in a tavern in Wonderkop. The killer was apparently a Lonmin employee and wearing an Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union T-shirt at the time.

NUM this year lost its status as the majority union at Lonmin to Amcu.

Several killings of union members are believed to be the result of rivalry between the unions.

Sapa

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