S.Africans rampage for jobs at Amplats mine

Dozens of protesters on Wednesday besieged one of Anglo American Platinum’s mines in South Africa demanding jobs, said the firm and police, the latest unrest to shake the key sector.

Security at the Mogalakwena Mine in the northern province of Limpopo had to fire warning shots to disperse a crowd of about 100 people that went on a rampage, blocking roads and stoning company vehicles.

“A group of community members are illegally protesting at Mogalakwena Mine demanding permanent employment,” Amplats spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole told AFP.

At least five trucks were damaged.

The latest protest comes just two days after 2,300 workers at a separate Amplats mine, Dishaba, ended a two-day underground sit-in protesting the suspension of one of their union leaders.

Police spokeswoman Ronel Otto confirmed the new protest but said there were no serious damages.

“They want jobs at the mine,” said Otto.

Amplats’s Sithole said the mine does offer job opportunities “both permanent and on a contract basis to local community members.”

Around a quarter of the labour force is unemployed in South Africa, the continent’s largest economy.

The country continues to underperform compared to fast-growing economies in the region, forecasting economic growth of 2.1 percent for this year. The government has warned that ongoing unrest in the key mining sector could hurt the economy.