South Africa shocked by police shootings at mine

By Moni Basu, Faith Karimi and Nkepile Mabuse

August 17, 2012 -- Updated 1737 GMT (0137 HKT)

Shootings prompt dismay and outrage

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: President Jacob Zuma announces a government enquiry of the incident
• Some South Africans compare incident to apartheid-era Sharpville massacre
• Police say they fired at the striking workers in self-defense
• 44 people were killed this week in violence at the mine -- 34 on Thursday

Are you affected by the violence? Send photos and stories to CNN iReport.

Marikana, South Africa (CNN) -- The headlines Friday in South Africa spoke of a bloodbath, of war.

The morning after carnage at a platinum mine, South Africans grappled with shock, memories of an ugly era resurrected in their minds. The word apartheid surfaced again as people debated the need for such police force.

The police, meanwhile, explained themselves at a news conference, giving reporters the grim toll: 34 mine workers killed, 78 others wounded, 259 arrested on various charges, including malicious damage to property, armed robbery, illegal gathering and possession of weapons. That according to Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega.

She said police "were forced to utilize maximum force to defend themselves."

South African President Jacob Zuma cut short a trip to Mozambique to visit the scene of the shootings Friday afternoon. He announced the government will open an inquiry of the incident.

He reminded South Africans that they must come together to overcome national challenges as they had done before.

"This is not a day to apportion blame," Zuma said. "It is a day for us to mourn together as a nation. It is also a day to start healing."

Mourn, yes, but also a time to think about what had been done, some cried.