2 killed in S Africa mine union rivalry

South African police say two people, including a union leader, have been shot and killed in the course of union rivalry at Lonmin mine in the north of the country.

Both men were reportedly associated with the prominent labor group, National Union of Mineworkers.

The two were shot on Monday at the union’s office at Wonderkop in Marikana, some 112 kilometers northwest of Johannesburg.

“One of them died instantly and one was taken to hospital” where he succumbed to his injuries, said Sabata Mokgwabone, a spokesman for the police in North-West Province.

The incident comes on top of the assassination of another union leader last month.

Deadly violence, illegal strikes and union infighting have plagued the country’s restive platinum belt since last year.

In August 2012, police forces killed 34 striking miners at Lonmin platinum mine which is reportedly the world’s third-largest platinum producer with approximately 28,000 employees. In all, 45 died in violence related to the unrest.

South Africa is home to nearly 80 percent of the world’s known platinum reserves. Mining accounts for about 20 percent of the country’s national output.