South Africans sang somber hymns and prayed at a memorial service to mourn 44 people who lost their lives during days of labor protests in the nation's mining heartland. Local leaders and church officials led the service near the site of the clashes at the Marikana platinum mine.
Some bereaved mourners fainted, and had to be carried out of the ceremony by relatives and friends.
Politicians, religious leaders and thousands of workers and members of the local community attended a memorial service at a church near the mine to commemorate all those who have died in the violence.
Of the dozens killed, 34 died in a hail of gunfire last week from police officers, who said they shot at the machete-armed protesters in self defense.
Protests started two weeks ago when thousands of rock drillers went on strike to demanding higher wages and better facilities in the wake of such violence.
Violence intensified August 16, when police fired live ammunition into a crowd of protesters, killing 34 people and sparking a national outcry. The protesters armed with machetes and sticks were threatening to the officers, authorities said.
Ten others died in the earlier days of the protests, including two police officers who were hacked to death after the protesters refused to lay dwon the sticks.
A rivalry between two unions that wield a lot of power and influence in the nation added to the tension. The unions, accused of trying to outdo each other in negotiating wages, denied instigating the clashes.
The memorial service comes as two more platinum companies in the northwest echoed Lonmin workers, signaling spreading instability and labor discontent.
About 1,000 workers gathered at nearby Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine on Wednesday to voice their discontent. They returned to work a day later.
South African President Jacob Zuma addressed the miners at the Marikana site and expressed sympathy to the he Marikana miners. He further said, the mining sector can afford to increase wages and companies which fail to raise miner housing standards may face the cancellation of their mining licences.
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