Isi Esene

Terrible news, in case you missed it.

The South African police gunned down striking miners yesterday, killing 34 of the miners and wounding 78 others after failing to get protesters to disperse during a strike.

The strike at the Lonmin platinum mine in northern South Africa had already turned violent, with  skirmishes between two rival unions, the National Union of Mineworkers and the more radical Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), whose supporters have brandished guns, machetes, spears and clubs.

Earlier on Thursday, police had vowed that today was the day they would end the violence and disperse the protesters.

Police Chief Mangwashi Victoria Phiyega said yesterday was a dark day for South Africa. She said it is no time for apportioning blame as people compared the shootings to apartheid-era state violence and many demanded a thorough investigation.

Watch the police attack below:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImqAVon92VM]