North West - Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa will visit Lonmin's Marikana mine, near Rustenburg, on Friday, after more than 30 people died in a clash with the police, his office said.
Spokesman Zweli Mnisi said Mthethwa had cut short a visit to Musina, where he was to have met community members, to visit the scene of the shooting.
On Thursday, more than 30 people were killed when police tried to disperse a group of protesters who had gathered on a hilltop near the mine.
Mnisi said the final death toll had yet to be confirmed, but that “over 30” people were believed to have been killed. The National Union of Mineworkers said 36 people had died.
Another 10 people - including two police officers, two security guards and three NUM shop stewards - have been killed in separate incidents since the start of an illegal strike last Friday.
The protests are believed to be related to union rivalry and demands for higher wages. - Sapa