South Africa’s Lonmin Marikana mine clashes killed 34

Police were sent to break up some 3,000 miners – some armed with clubs and machetes – who had gathered on a hillside overlooking Marikana to call for a pay rise of about $1,000 (£636) a month.

The circumstances that led police to open fire remain unclear, but reports from eyewitnesses suggest the shooting took place after a group of demonstrators rushed at a line of police officers.

Police, armed with automatic rifles and pistols, fired dozens of shots, witnesses said.

One witness, Molaole Montsho, of the South African news agency Sapa, said police had first used water cannon, tear gas and stun grenades in an attempt to break up the protest.

“And then in the commotion – we were about 800m [2,600ft] from the scene – we heard gunshots that lasted for about two minutes,” he said.

David Nkolisi, 37, who works as a rock-drill operator, told the BBC: “We were killed for asking our employer to pay us a decent salary for hard work deep underground.”

At a news conference on Friday, Ms Phiyega said police had been forced to open fire to protect themselves.

“The militant group stormed toward the police, firing shots and wielding dangerous weapons,” Ms Phiyega said. “Police were forced to use maximum force to defend themselves.”

She said 259 people had been arrested on various charges.