Weapons confiscated at Lonmin hostels

North West police confiscated home-made weapons at two of Lonmin Platinum's  mine hostels on Tuesday morning.

   

"We confiscated a lot of home-made sharp objects like knobkerries, assegais, and strong iron at two hostels on the platinum belt," spokesman Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

   

"It is part of the operation to rid the area of any dangerous weapons to ensure we have a peaceful commemoration."

   

In August last year, 44 people died during strike-related unrest at Lonmin's Marikana operations in Rustenburg.

   

Thirty four people -- almost all striking mineworkers -- were shot dead in a clash with police on August 16. Ten people, including two police officers, were killed in the preceding week.

   

Ngubane said the weapons were found at the Wonderkop and Karee hostels.

   

He said police had received many requests for gatherings in the area on August 16.

   

-Sapa