Lonmin shooting: South Africans use social to mourn, vent, debate

South Africa is reeling after a shootout between police and striking miners Marikana, Rustenburg left 35 people dead.

A number of the miners were reportedly armed when they charged toward police lines, after pleas from union leaders to put a halt to the action failed. It is unclear however who fired first.

There has been serious activity across social media channels with Twitter the most active, causing South Africa to briefly trend globally.

For a number of people, the shooting was reminder of other violent incidents in the country’s past:

The actions of the police yesterday have reminded us of a past we would rather not relive. #Lonmin

— Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) August 17, 2012

30 dead? That’s two more than those who died at the Bisho massacre in 1992. This qualifies as a massacre.

— Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) August 17, 2012

The thing abt #lonmin shooting is that we’r meant 2 hav moved away fm Apartheid style protests & deadly police responses. #bodebad4future

— Tim Truluck (@jozi117) August 17, 2012

‘I’m disgusted at all of us. 50 yrs ago ppl were massacred &world stood still. It happens again, we make excuses. People DIED here’ #Lonmin

— Joonji Mdyogolo (@Joonji) August 17, 2012

50 years ago similar shooting #Sharpeville sparked a liberation movement, here’s to hoping #Lonmin has as big an impact on this country

— Sipho Kings (@SiphoMcD) August 17, 2012

Others sympathised with the police:

As sad as the whole situation is, I do not blame the cops. When your life as an officer is in danger, you must react. #lonmin

— Phinda (@Phinda_N) August 17, 2012

For once the SAPS did what they suppose to do-Protect and serve.The hostile,armed,murderous,illegal strikers had it coming. #Lonmin

— Will 🙂 (@CroWill) August 17, 2012

Would there be even more outcry if there were 30 dead policemen and the strikes continued? #lonmin

— Robyn Clark (@clarkformaths) August 17, 2012

If you dont want the police to do their job then dont ask them to go and sort out a violent situation. @victordlamini #lonmin

— Craig Fry (@CraigsAthletes) August 17, 2012

I do believe that the police had every right to protect themselves. Shem, they tried so hard to diffuse the situation all week. #Lonmin™

— Tumi ♍anamela (@Tumi_Manamela) August 17, 2012

#Lonmin 2 police MURDERED earlier!We ,SA wld hve been laughing stock of wrld if they killed more Police yesterday without pol.firing a shot

— Terence Vincent (@teevee20) August 17, 2012

Some however just mourned the loss of life and the consequences the shooting would have for the families who lost lives:

cc RT @ntokozombambo: May God be with the families who lost loved ones #Lonmin #Masikana ☹

— Kgosi Kgaugelo Legae (@LeKing88) August 17, 2012

Some kids may have 2 drop out of schl bcoz their fathers & breadwinners were killed like flies by SAPS. U cannot justify that #Lonmin

— Luntu (@LuciousGP) August 17, 2012

Thid can’t be life..butMay God be with the families who lost loved ones #Lonmin #Masikana ☹

— Shawn Neo (@ShawnDrummerBoy) August 17, 2012

Today we mourn the deaths of those mine workers who died in vain fighting for better wages. May their souls RIP! #Lonmin #Marikana

— Tefelo G. Makeketa (@Tefelo1) August 17, 2012

South African President Jacob Zuma also came under fire after failing to return to the country from a conference in Mozambique:

And where is our wonderful president in this torrid time? Ohhh yes, that’s right. He’s out of the country. Beeg surprise #lonmin

— Jodi Natalie (@PinX_9014) August 17, 2012

#Lonmin #MarikanaMassacre Prez Zuma should show stronger leadership at this sad time and be in the country to console the nation.

— Francisco Little (@KazKid) August 17, 2012

RT @phillipdewet: 16 hours later & we still can’t get #Lonmin casualty count. President’s in Maputo. Police com will only speak at 11:30.

— Raymond Joseph (@rayjoe) August 17, 2012

Earlier I said JZ hasn’t said anything about #lonmin BUT Our President says that he was “deeply alarmed and saddened” yi lento yase #lonmin.

— Ayanda Mnguni (@namnguni001) August 17, 2012