South Africa declares week of mourning

Johannesburg, Aug 20 (IANS) South African President Jacob Zuma Sunday declared a week-long national mourning after 44 people died during a labour unrest.

Thirty-four people were killed in a shootout Thursday when police tried to disperse thousands of striking miners at Marikana mine in North West province, Xinhua reported.

Earlier, 10 more had died in the unrest that began Aug 10. Nearly 80 people were injured. The miners were demanding a pay hike.

It was the deadliest conflict between police and protestors since the apartheid ended in South Africa in 1994. The mourning will start Monday.

The president said the nation was in shock and pain. "We must reflect the sanctity of human life and the right to life as enshrined in the constitution," he said.

Zuma said the flags will be hoisted at half mast in South Africa and missions abroad during the mourning week.

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