Pretoria - Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant has expressed concern over the violence at Lonmin Platinum mine in Marikana, Rustenburg, which has claimed the lives of 10 people.
"The violence that has occurred cannot be condoned and has no place in the way that labour relations and inter-union relations should be conducted. The loss of life has been particularly tragic and unnecessary," she said.
Ten people, including two police officers, have been killed during the violence that is apparently due to a dispute between rival unions.
Oliphant stressed that the purpose of the Labour Relations Act was to advance labour peace.
She called on the parties to pursue a peaceful process to resolve their differences and get to the root cause of the conflict that has erupted.
The relevant parties had to ensure that the situation at the mines and in the communities in the area returned to normal as soon as possible, the minister added.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has been trying to assist the parties since the beginning of the year with the last meeting held at the end of July. However, one of the parties withdrew from the agreement.
Oliphant urged parties to consider the CCMA's offer and also to work constructively with other public bodies.
