The Lonmin strike that occurred in August 2012 ultimately led to the tragic Marikana Massacre in South Africa. Here is an overview of what transpired.

The Lonmin strike began on August 10, 2012, when approximately 3,000 rock drill operators at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana, South Africa, went on strike. The workers were demanding a significant increase in their wages, which they deemed insufficient considering the challenging and dangerous nature of their work. As the strike continued, tensions between the workers, Lonmin management, and the South African police escalated. The strike quickly turned violent, with clashes between striking miners, non-striking workers, security personnel, and the police. The situation became increasingly volatile, with reports of intimidation, threats, and acts of violence on all sides. On August 16, 2012, the situation reached a devastating climax known as the Marikana Massacre. On that day, heavily armed South African Police Service (SAPS) officers were deployed to intervene in the strike action. The police fired upon the striking miners, resulting in the deaths of 34 miners and leaving numerous others injured. The Marikana Massacre sparked outrage both locally and internationally, shining a spotlight on the issues surrounding labor relations, inequality, and police brutality in South Africa. The event prompted widespread condemnation and calls for justice and reform. In the aftermath of the massacre, various investigations and commissions were established to examine the events leading up to the tragedy and to assign accountability. These investigations sought to understand the factors that contributed to the violent escalation, assess the actions of all parties involved, and make recommendations for preventing similar incidents in the future. The Lonmin strike and ensuing Marikana Massacre brought attention to the deep-rooted and complex challenges faced by workers, employers, and the government in South Africa's mining industry. It highlighted issues such as low wages, poor working conditions, strained labor relations, inequality, and the role of law enforcement in industrial disputes.

QUESTION
Although we have discovered that, there are many reasons for and detrimental effects of conflict. Discuss ways in which conflict can be resolved.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

There are many reasons why employers and employees disagree One of the many reasons is the demand for a wage rise The strike at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana South Africa started on August 10 2... View the full answer