Hacked body found at S.Africa platinum mine

The body of a man hacked to death was found at the Marikana platinum mine in South Africa where a protracted wildcat strike has already left 44 dead, police said Tuesday. "A body of a man was found dead," said police spokesman Thulani Ngubane. "He seems to be hit with sharp object," Ngubane told AFP. "Whether killed yesterday or this afternoon we have no information," he added. Eyewitness News radio reported the man had two deep cuts on the back of his head. Striking workers kept media from getting close to the body. Thousands of miners downed tools over a month ago demanding the owner of the mine, Lonmin -- the world's number three platinum producer -- increase their wages. They have threatened non-strikers with death until wage negotiations were concluded. Police shot dead 34 people at the mine on August 16, days after clashes between striking workers left 10 dead, including two policemen.