LIMPOPO – At least one protester was shot dead and another shot and wounded at Atok near Bokoni Platinum mine in Limpopo, police said on Wednesday.
Police allegedly shot dead the 28-year-old protester while trying to restore order on the platinum belt after two days of protests by residents.
“There was a shooting last evening and one person was killed, and another one injured,” said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malesela Ledwaba on Wednesday morning.
He said a murder and attempted murder case had been opened and referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to investigate the case.
Bokoni Platinum, a subsidiary of Anglo Platinum, is being accused of undermining and ignoring community demands despite agreeing earlier this year to resolve the issues, they claimed.
Residents said since the mine started operation, the community has not benefited from the mining operations despite the company’s pledge to comply with South Africa’s mining charter.
Community leaders have been protesting on the R37 between Burgersfort and Polokwane to demand a meeting with the mine’s management.
At least one car apparently belonging to a mine worker has been torched.
