CRACKDOWN!

MORE than 100 police officers supported by army and police helicopters moved on armed bands of striking miners in Marikana in North West early yesterday in a show of force aimed ending the month-long showdown that has cost 45 lives.

The move - a month after 34 miners were shot dead by police - came the day after the cabinet's security ministers pledged to disperse illegal gatherings, remove weapons from striking miners and bring an end to wildcat strikes, which are believed to be severely damaging the economy.

SA National Defence Force spokesman Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga confirmed yesterday that the army had been asked to support police during the raids. He declined to divulge how many soldiers had been deployed.

The Minister of Justice, Jeff Radebe, told an unprecedented briefing addressed by eight cabinet ministers that "illegal gatherings, the carrying of dangerous weapons, and incitement, as well as threats of violence against anyone in the affected areas" would be "dealt with".

Also on Friday, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe warned of "anarchy" if violence was tolerated. "We cannot allow lawlessness to roll over the country and think it should be rewarded and therefore begin a norm in society," he told reporters in Pretoria.

By noon yesterday, streets in Marikana had been barricaded with rocks and burning tyres as police fought running battles with strikers.

Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at strikers armed with rocks, spears and sticks, injuring several. Nyala armoured vehicles patrolled the streets of the shanty town as protestors, singing derogatory songs about President Jacob Zuma, resisted arrest.

By late yesterday 13 people had been arrested. North West police spokesman Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said the number of injured was unclear as people were "afraid of coming forward", fearing arrest.

For the past month the Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant, and the Minister of Mining, Susan Shabangu, have been locked in meetings with unions, mine bosses, and the Chamber of Mines to discuss the ongoing strike, but have failed to end the standoff.

Two mining companies have secured court orders declaring the strike illegal, a move that may result in workers being fired. Goldfields said yesterday it had secured an interdict on Monday but had yet to enforce it. Lonmin obtained a final Labour Court order, prohibiting the workers from intimidating other workers.

Workers at Anglo American also embarked on a strike this week. Spokesman Mpumi Sithole said Anglo's operation had been suspended since Wednesday. She said this had resulted in a loss of 2 100 ounces of platinum production a day.

On Friday, Aquarius Platinum Limited announced it was temporarily suspending mining operations at its Kroondal mine.

The paralysis in the platinum mining industry has economists worried; ratings agencies have also expressed concern (see Business Times). Experts said there was a "one in three" chance that South Africa's credit rating would be downgraded, which would further hurt investor sentiment and increase the cost of borrowing.

While ANC and government leaders have been at pains to avoid mentioning expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema by name, he has emerged as a key figure in the ongoing chaos in the mining industry. He has addressed striking workers at several mines, calling on them to continue their action until their demands are met.

Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini added his voice to the call for Malema to be arrested for adding to instability on the mines. Dlamini said he had heard the National Union of Mineworkers wanted to ask Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to tell Malema to stop visiting mines.

"If I was Kgalema, I would refuse ... if somebody is responsible for inciting violence in this country and economic sabotage in this country, that person must be arrested," he said.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan warned that the unrest in the mining sector would damage South Africa's economic growth, job creation efforts and investment opportunities.

Gordhan said: "Everybody in South Africa has the responsibility to ensure that we boost the confidence in our economy and in our country. What we say, what we do, the violent acts we engage in or the incitement of violence or perpetration of violence, undermines confidence in the . .. economy."

The issue of Malema's behaviour came up at the ANC national executive committee meeting in Pretoria yesterday as party leaders dealt with the Marikana developments.

"We all feel we must not allow space for opportunists to drag this country down ... and we also want the leadership to find solutions and make sure it's not overtaken by events," said one NEC member.

The meeting came as Zuma's international relations adviser, Lindiwe Zulu, called for strong action against Malema and those funding him.

Zulu told the Sunday Times Malema was causing harm to the party's image internationally.

She said it was unfortunate that the youth league seemed to be under Malema's control even though he had been expelled.

Malema, said Zulu, was not acting alone and dealing with him should include uncovering those funding him.

She urged the government to take a "very firm, a properly calculated decision" on Malema.

"We are not a banana republic. We can't wake and say, Lock him up. We have a constitution," she added.

This week Malema backers, calling themselves the Economic Freedom Fighters, told the Sunday Times the only way Zuma and the ANC could contain the situation was by reinstating Malema and other expelled league leaders.

Legal experts said it would be difficult to charge Malema for incitement under a charge known as sedition as such a charge came close to restricting freedom of expression.

It is understood that the Hawks are preparing to swoop on Malema on allegations of fraud and corruption that relate to alleged tendering abuses.

The Sunday Times has learnt that prosecutors and investigators are due to meet this week to discuss finalising the issuing of warrants.

Hawks spokesman McIntosh Polela declined to confirm Malema's arrest was imminent, saying: ''We will not talk until such time we have made a decision on whether to charge him or not."

As police units carried out their operations at Marikana yesterday, police spokesman Captain Dennis Adriao said: "We can't allow a situation where armed groups are gathering illegally. We will arrest anyone carrying illegal weapons.''

Members of the task team set up to finalise logistical arrangements for the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Marikana tragedy visited several sites in the Rustenburg and Marikana areas this weekend looking for a suitable venue.

Department of Justice official Advocate JB Skosana said the team was "working around the clock" to ensure the commission could get under way .

Earlier, retired Judge Ian Farlam told the Sunday Times one of the key tasks of the commission would be to set up central points where people could make statements, assisted by qualified people, which would be handed to his commission.

Skosana said: "We have also been meeting to discuss the rules of engagement ... I can't give a timetable yet because the committee can only say how this will work once they've met with all the parties' lawyers.''