South African Police open fire on protesting Miners.

Originally posted by KaelemJames

*You're much quicker in reporting the news, Harry

edit on 09/02/2012 by KaelemJames because: add

Thanks, i been watching this since last week anyhow.

Lots of of people calling for lots of different things. Arresting the organisers seems step one, but they haven't done it yet???

I'll be honest, maybe we should have sent the institute of race relations to intervene and resolve this peacefully? (hint: they'd be dead by now).

But this is still in the first response phase, this is going to have very wide effects on civil life, i don't believe the police will be punished in any way, this was a murderous armed mob who attacked police ... and the more i think about it, there were no other options. Nothing short of deadly violence would stop them, normal riot cops would have been hacked and stabbed. Anything else WOULD HAVE resulted in much greater bloodshed

You know, these africans can be brutal in killing, they have very much hate towards the white
this seemed rather to be a panic attack from the police, they could've shot a few warning shots and if than they wouldn't stop they could shoot them

but let me tell you, if these africans had the chance to chop up the police with panga's they would do it any day

Originally posted by harryhaller
But this is still in the first response phase, this is going to have very wide effects on civil life, i don't believe the police will be punished in any way, this was a murderous armed mob who attacked police ... and the more i think about it, there were no other options. Nothing short of deadly violence would stop them, normal riot cops would have been hacked and stabbed. Anything else WOULD HAVE resulted in much greater bloodshed

I agree with you. What to do?

Another shooting just now, 2 killed at Marikana.


reply to post by rambo1112


Yes, cos this is how they crawl up on the police.

Originally posted by Rockpuck
reply to post by woodwardjnr

 

Sounds like the police have over reacted

I don't know about that.. numerous reporters on the scene have stated a person or persons in the strikers group fired on police officers with a gun after tear gas was launched. Then there was an exchange, that likely led to a lot of unarmed people hit in the cross fire.

So one person firing at officers is permission to shoot dead anyone moving?

Yeah, I'd like to see how that would be justified in a mall in America.

From what I've seen this comes down to several things...

Firstly, the people there have been exploited for decades by a corporation making $billions, being paid little themselves and living in some of the poorest communities without infrastructure or investment, with their own corrupt government leading the charge.

Secondly, the police are clearly not trained properly to deal with situations like this. They're all over the place, fighting out in the middle of nowhere. There is no planning, no staging, no restraint and no leadership. It's a mess!

Thirdly, no authority can claim that gunning down tens of people because someone threw something is justified. Even if someone opened fire on the cops, that is not enough of an excuse for officers to open fire on a crowd.

Ultimately this could become a much larger battle thanks to the idiocy of those officers. Massive civil unrest happens usually when there is a perceived injustice against the people. This would be one of those instances.

So where is the comment from the white house about this?? Are we going to take military action against South Africa?? Maybe some sanctions?? How about a human rights violation since south africa apparently can't handle striking employees.

This is garbage

reply to post by votan


Can't handle "striking employees"? If they were striking and carried no weapons, a peaceful strike, this would not have happened.




Photos

People amaze me, your comment on sanctions even more. Then another thing, do you REALLY think we can't do anything without America? We survived sanctions from you before, and it only made us stronger.

Skip to 1m16s and look how quick some police had to respond. (GRAPHIC VIDEO!!!)



Not many South Africans like our police, cos pretty much, they are useless in our eyes. But, if i was a policeman and i was in this situation (and i am a non violent person) i would retaliate, too. Two policeman were killed by these guys few days ago, so they knew what was coming if they didn't open fire.

Full text of the statement of national police commisioner, reprinted in full as it was released in MS Word format (?).

GENERAL PHIYEGA PRONOUNCES ON MINE UNREST

Rustenburg – The South African Police Service is saddened by the event that unfolded yesterday which resulted in the loss of lives. The SAPS did all in its power to avert such a situation.

We have an obligation in terms of our legislative mandate as set out in Section 205 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa to:
• Prevent, combat and investigate crime.
• Maintain public order.
• Protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property.
• Uphold and enforce the law

Allow me to take you through the events as they unfolded: A number of employees from Lonmin Mine started striking on Thursday 9th August 2012.

• Friday 10th August 2012 – On duty employees reported intimidation and assault incidents. Two employees were shot and were treated in hospital.
• Saturday 11th August 2012 – Faction fights and threat reports of three more employees, shot in the hostels in separate incidents.
• Sunday 12th August 2012 – Reports of five employees shot and taken to hospital and others assaulted. Two mine security officers were hacked to death by protesters. Their vehicles were also torched.
• Sunday 12th August 2012 – striking workers infiltrated production areas, assaulting three on duty employees, fatally wounding one and torching six motor vehicles at the plant.
• Monday 13th August 2012 – Three bodies of mine employees were found dead. SAPS members were attacked while escorting the protesters. Two SAPS members hacked to death, one critically wounded currently in hospital. Three protesters fatally wounded and five wounded in the Police response to the attack.

Cont.

Cont.

Our actions have been the following:

We proceeded to deploy additional reinforcements to the area on Monday 13th August 2012, boosting the numbers after the incident that day, with various police specialised units from around the country.

We then opted to allow the situation to stabilise, starting to engage in dialogue with the heavily armed group on Tuesday to seek a non-violent and peaceful solution in restoring order. SAPS monitored the group each day as they gathered at a central point and continued to engage the leaders in dialogue attempting to resolve the situation and disarm.

The various union leaders both addressed the armed group with regards to the police’ requests for the laying down of dangerous weapons and firearms including dispersing peacefully.

Yesterday, (16th August 2012), we continued to maintain a high police visibility and presence enhanced with crowd management resources such as water-canon and barbed wire trailers to be deployed in case of aggressive actions and to confine the threat from the armed protestors.

By midday yesterday we had received information from various sources that the protesters would not end the strike peacefully and they would not leave their gathering point or disarm.

The options were weighed and the decision taken that the SAPS needed to deploy the barbed wire to protect their members adjacent to the protesters. The decision included employing a defensive action to disperse the protesters from their stronghold into smaller groups which would be more manageable for the police to disarm.

When the police started deploying the barbed wire fencing, the group of protesters armed with dangerous weapons and firearms, hastily flanked the vehicles deploying the wire. They were met by members from the police who tried to repost the advance with water-canon, teargas as well as stun grenades. The attempt was unsuccessful and the police members had to employ force to protect themselves from the charging group.

The dispersion action had commenced at this time and the armed protestors were driven from their stronghold to a high bushy ground in the close vicinity. The police members encircled the area and attempted to force the protestors out by means of water cannons, rubber bullets and stun grenades. The militant group stormed towards the police firing shots and wielding dangerous weapons. Police retreated systematically and were forced to utilize maximum force to defend themselves.

The total death toll of the protesters currently stands at 34 with more than 78 injured. 259 people have been arrested for various charges ranging from public violence, murder and attempted murder, malicious damage to property, armed robbery, illegal gathering and possession dangerous weapons. A dedicated team of investigators is now responsible for the investigation of these case dockets.

A total of six firearms were retrieved after the confrontation scenes as well as numerous dangerous weapons. One of the firearms recovered is confirmed to be belonging to the police official killed by the armed protesters on Monday earlier this week.

The SAPS has secured the immediate area although tensions remain high at this stage.

The crime scene, which covers a vast area, is currently being managed by senior officials from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate and supported by an expert team of detectives and forensic experts.

The police will give their full cooperation with any investigation into this tragic incident.

appears to be 30 now:

rt.com...


At some point, us Westerners will be striking with knives and guns too..
Will we be killed point blank? You betcha.

reply to post by KaelemJames


One of the few times I use it and people do not get it.... Last time i use sarcasm

reply to post by votan


Then i truly apologize, sincerely. I am slow on sarcasm.

Sincerest apologies

reply to post by KaelemJames


It is okay i hardly use it so i am bad at it.

reply to post by votan


No, you're not

I was gonna say "you're joking, right?" My first thought was that you were being sarcastic, and clearly i should have stuck with my original thought.

Maybe going through the pictures and everyone blaming everyone, got to me. I (almost) never get angry, but since yesterday all calmness went over my head. More in a way that i realized, again, that nothing will ever change in this country. What to do..

Update:

M&G Video report: 173.203.84.200...

Confirms many gunshot wounds to the legs amongst the injured.

Women have now assembled and are challenging police to "shoot them too".



President Zuma cut short a visit to Mozambique, and is rumoured to be visiting the area later.

Updated photos show that heavy machine guns have been removed from vehicles, indicating new orders and plan of attack.




Also rumoured is that several new people have arrived from elsewhere, intent on making trouble.

This could still swing any way. Many are divided about this, but the general consensus among most saffers is that there weren't other options, and that the strikers have been too dangerous for too long. Even when the liberals argue for "less than lethal force" when you reply, "so then how?" They have no answer :/

This is raw capitalism, breaking down, literally from the bottom. The evil system, TPTB who create dark satanic mills, this is their doing. 130 years from gold being found to now, complete social breakdown. This is NOT an isolated incident, and even the use of live ammo will not stop this occurring soon elsewhere.

So more death for vanity and greed. Sad.

Death videos go against youtube rules?

Originally posted by Infi8nity
Death videos go against youtube rules?

If it does i will ask the mods to delete it now. My wrong.

What are these miners, mining?

reply to post by KaelemJames


Liveleak has it

reply to post by nixie_nox


Lonmin platinum mine.

Lonmin