Official: No mine firings as South Africa mourns

MARIKANA, South Africa -- A spokesman for South Africa's presidency says Cabinet ministers have convinced mine managers that there should be no firings of striking miners during this week while the nation is in official mourning for 44 deaths around a strike-bound mine, including 34 miners shot dead by police.

Spokesman Harold Maloka says the agreement came at a meeting Monday after Lonmin officials had given striking rock drill operators until 7 a.m. Tuesday to report for work or face dismissal.

Mine executive vice president Mark Munroe told TalkRadio 702 FM early Tuesday that those who did not report for work will face punishment but not necessarily dismissal.

Munroe said violence could rise "if Lonmin goes out and dismisses a whole lot of people for not coming to work today."