South Africa miners strike intensifies
Striking miners in South Africa remained in high spirits on Wednesday, despite an escalation of their strike that led to clashes with police.<br/> <br />Thousands of workers at the Anglo American Platinum mine in Rustenburg defied an ultimatum to return to work on Tuesday.<br/> <br />Striking miners then fought running battles with police, facing rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades.<br/> <br />The workers put down their tools on September 12, demanding increased salaries.<br/> <br />The strike is considered illegal in South Africa as it has been taken without the authorisation of trade union officials, who are negotiating directly with mine management.<br/> <br />Labour unrest has surged in the country in recent months, hitting platinum and gold output and drawing criticism of President Jacob Zuma's handling of the crippling industrial disputes.
