Rustenburg - President Jacob Zuma arrived at Lonmin's Marikana mine near Rustenburg on Friday evening.
“President Zuma has arrived at the Lonmin Mine in Marikana,” the presidency wrote on its official Twitter account.
“He is being accompanied by Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa, Minister of State Security Siyabonga Cwele, Minister of Mineral Resources Susan Shabangu and the national commissioner of police General Ria Phiyega.
“President Zuma will visit the injured miners in hospital before addressing a press conference at the Lonmin Conference Centre.”
A total of 34 people were killed in a shootout that erupted near the mine on Thursday when police tried to disperse striking miners.
More than 78 people were injured. Another 10 people had by then been killed in the violent protests at the mine over the past week.
The protests were believed to be linked to rivalry between the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) over recognition agreements at the mine. Workers also wanted higher wages. - Sapa