Reuters reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Friday that its branch chairman at Lonmin’s Eastern Platinum Mine, who was shot by unknown assailants at his home in Bapong village near Brits on Thursday night, subsequently died in hospital.  

NUM spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu said the miner's wife, who also shot in the attack, was recovering.  Lonmin spokesperson Wendy Tlou said the platinum producer’s head of security "has confirmed a murder and attempted murder.  We are still awaiting official information from the police and don't know the motive at this stage".  Police could not be reached immediately for comment.  Several Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) members were shot dead on the platinum belt last year, while NUM members have also been attacked.

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