The SA Communist Party (SACP) on Monday expressed shock at the killing of NUM members in Rustenburg, North West.

“NUM leaders, members and workers supporting the union are being systematically targeted, brutalised and killed, sometimes for wearing red T-shirts,” spokesperson Alex Mashilo said in a statement.

He said the murders were part of attempts to “liquidate” the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).

A man was shot eight times and killed at the Marikana hill, near Lonmin’s platinum mine, on Thursday.

North West police spokesperson Thulani Ngubane said he was shot once while driving.

When he got out of his car another seven bullets were fired at him.

He died on the scene.

There have been several murders of union officials in the area recently, apparently linked to rivalry between the NUM and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).

NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said the victim was the union’s branch chairperson at Lonmin’s Western Platinum mine near Rustenburg.

The SACP condemned the killing and sent its condolences to the man’s family.

– SAPA