Lonmin mineworkers who downed tools today risked losing their jobs, the platinum miner has announced.

Sue Vey, spokesperson for the company, said all 13 shafts were not operational.

They were engaging with unions to find out why workers, who reported for duty, did not go underground.

Labour analysts said the consequences of embarking on a wildcat strike could lead to job losses.

They were “deeply concerned” that the country was developing a poor reputation in employer-employee relations.

The wildcat strike is said to have been sparked by the weekend killing of Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) North West regional organiser, Mawethu Joseph Steven.

His death was seen to have heightened tensions between AMCU and its rival National Union of Mineworkers.

The police were monitoring the situation.

According to Sapa, a large number of police were at Wonderkop stadium, in Marikana, where AMCU members were expected to meet this afternoon.

A water cannon, a number of police vans, and Nyalas were parked outside the stadium. Lonmin workers were bused in from all 13 shafts of the mine. 

Carrying knobkerries, sticks, and umbrellas they filed into the venue singing: “Police are dogs. They must leave.”

Marikana made international headlines last year on August 16 when police shot dead 34 striking Lonmin miners while trying to disperse them.

Ten people were killed the week before in strike-related violence. – Additional reporting Sapa. 

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