Royal Bafokeng urges calm after killing of protester
RBPlat says the protest followed its decision to fire 14 employees in December after their involvement in an unprotected strike
A person was shot dead near Royal Bafokeng Platinum’s (RBPlat’s) North Shaft on Wednesday night during a protest by about 100 people, including former employees of the company, as suspicions were aired that the shot was fired from within the crowd. RBPlat said the protest originated from its decision to fire 14 employees in December after their involvement in unprotected strike action in 2017 as well as threats to employees and damaging property. During the protest a conveyor belt was set alight and a guard house and gate were damaged, prompting mine security to fire rubber bullets and paint balls at the crowd to break up the protest, RBPlat said. “During the course of the incident an individual within the crowd was shot and killed. “Based on preliminary evidence, including video footage, it is believed that the shooting was from within the group of protesters. The deceased was not employed by RBPlat,” said the company. The police said they had started investigating into the inciden...
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