Rustenburg – A North West police spokesperson, Thulani Ngubane, said that three criminal cases relating to Amcu’s ongoing strike in the platinum sector were opened on Friday.

A strike by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) at Impala, Lonmin and Anglo American Platinum entered its second day on Friday.
Amcu wants an entry-level monthly salary of R12 500.

The first case involved a 37-year-old woman, who was assaulted by two men with iron rods at Impala Platinum’s number 11 shaft  early on Friday morning.

Ngubane said: “The suspects are alleged to be Amcu members who were trying to prevent her from reporting for duty. The police are in hot pursuit of the suspects.”

Windscreen

In another incident t Impala Platinum, a 34-year-old man had a firearm pointed at him by a man who threatened to shoot him.

“The third case was also reported by a 29-year-old male, who alleges that his BMW 320 windscreen was damaged by an unknown white male at 11 shaft of Impala Platinum.”

A case of malicious damage to property had been opened.

Ngubane said a preliminary investigation into the torching of a Chinese-owned furniture shop in Wonderkop on Thursday night showed that the fire had been caused by an electrical fault.

“Even though the matter [was] not strike-related, we still urge business and private property owners in Marikana to intensify security in their business areas, especially at night,” said Ngubane.

Intimidation

“This will complement the day and night work done by police officers on the dusty streets of Marikana.”

The police reiterated their call on striking miners to respect the rule of law.

“It is our belief that we share a common goal of a peaceful strike, free from violence and intimidation,” said Ngubane.

He said striking miners had dispersed by Friday afternoon.

SAPA