RUSTENBURG -  "Political parties must unite South Africans and help our people, especially the victims and those who lost their loved ones," chairman Ray McCauley said.

He was speaking to media near the hill where 34 Lonmin workers were killed and 78 workers injured when they clashed with the police on Thursday.

McCauley and his co-chairman Archbishop Buti Tlhagale were leading a delegation of religious leaders in Wonderkop to offer their support to the families of those who were killed and injured.

McCauley encouraged parties involved in the industrial action that led to the tragedy to sit around the table to resolve their differences amicably.

He said the parties should negotiate and come to a settlement without resorting to violence.

The religious leaders committed to be part of a fund-raising event and counselling initiative to try and relieve the pain and hardship caused by the shooting.

While the religious leaders were speaking to a group of community members in Wonderkop, expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema was at the Marikana police station opening cases of murder and attempted murder against the police.