Three killed in clashes at Lonmin mine

Three people have been killed and at least six injured at a South African mine operated by the platinum producer Lonmin as rival trade unions clashed with each other and the company's security staff.

A series of violent incidents was sparked on Friday when 3,000 rock drill operators at Lonmin's Western Platinum operations 60 miles north-west of Johannesburg staged an illegal strike over pay. Lonmin said two of its security guards were hacked to death on Sunday. And yesterday it said a third person was killed in "suspected union rivalry".