Blame for the massacre at Lonmin's Marikana platinum mine, where 34 miners were gunned down by police on August 16, has been divided among the strikers, the police, management, unions and the government.

Strikers

About 3,000 rock drill operators launched an illegal strike on August 10 that quickly turned violent, as have earlier mine strikes. Ten men, including two police, were killed in clashes between rival unions during the week leading to the police crackdown.

When police were called in, the strikers armed themselves with spears, machetes and clubs. Police and some witnesses say they also fired guns at the security forces.

Police

Police arrived at the scene without crowd control gear like riot shields or helmets. They fired teargas, rubber bullets, stun grenades and water cannons, but when those tactics failed, they had assault rifles with live ammunition, which they fired when they believed their lives were in danger. Police chief Riah Phiyega has stood by her men, saying at a funeral: "Don't be sorry about what happened."

Mine management

Lonmin, the world's third-largest platinum miner, says it has yet to receive any demands from the strikers -- whose stayaway has been ruled illegal. But nor has Lonmin held talks with the strikers. In the days leading to the crackdown, the company welcomed the police role in dealing with the security issues, rather than looking at the social conflicts.

Mining firms generally are accused of fomenting discontent by awarding different increases to different categories of workers.

Unions

The main union at the mine, the National Union of Mineworkers, belongs to the powerful COSATU labour federation and is a key ally of the ruling African National Congress. But some workers feel NUM no longer represents them, analysts say. The Marikana strike was spearheaded by the radical new Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, which is accused of using violent tactics to press its demands. Clashes between the two unions left 10 dead including two policemen ahead of the massacre.

Government

South African President Jacob Zuma's government has come under fire for failing to see the warning signs and preventing the violence. No minister met with the players at Marikana ahead of the shooting, creating the impression that the government was taken by surprise and unable to react.

Source: AFP