Rustenburg – Six people have been arrested following violent protests at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana, Rustenburg police said on Thursday.

“They were arrested for various incidents of intimidation,” Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo said.

Police made the arrests between Monday and Wednesday night. The suspects were expected to appear in court on Thursday.

Mbombo said on Thursday that the police wanted to bring an end to the violence in the area.

“Today [Thursday] we are going to disperse those people.”

She said the intention was to disperse them peacefully, but did not say what police would do if the group resisted.

A group of men armed with pangas, iron rods and knobkerries was gathered at the top of a hill, in Wonderkop, near the mine, at 08:00 on Thursday.

They vowed not to move until their pay was raised to R12 500 a month.

Lonmin rock-drill operators embarked on an illegal strike and protest march on Friday.

Ten people – two police officers, two security guards, three protesters and three other men – have been killed since the strike began.

SAPA