Malema being investigated for inciting mine violence

A protester sings as police officers stand guard to prevent marchers from proceeding, in Rustenburg, South Africa's North West Province September 16, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

JOHANNESBURG - An investigation has been launched into charges that expelled African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) leader Julius Malema was inciting the growing mine violence in South Africa, authorities said on Sunday.

A case of incitement and intimidation has been opened and referred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) , also known as the Hawks, spokesman McIntosh Polela said in Johannesburg.

The charges was brought by trade union Solidarity which has condemned Malema for using the labor unrest for political purposes.

The investigation followed a police crackdown on striking miners on Saturday at the Lonmin Platinum Mine in Marikana, the North West Province.

The Hawks were currently gathering information to help with the investigation, Polela said.

Malema, who was expelled by the ANC earlier this year for calling President Jacob Zuma "a dictator" and for dishonoring the ANC by opposing its policies, has urged mineworkers to stage a national strike to disrupt the mining industry.

He also called for the resignation of Zuma after police shot dead 34 striking miners at the Lonmin mine on August 16 following internal fighting between the miners that left 10 people dead, including two police officers.

The labor unrest at the Lonmin mine, which started on August 10, has spread to three other major mines, forcing the suspension of operations.

Police launched a crackdown on striking miners at the Lonmin Platinum Mine on Saturday, detaining at least 12 people for allegedly instigating violence.

Rubber bullets and tear gas were fired when strikers refused police's order to disperse, according to police.

Zuma has said the labor unrest "can no longer accepted" and the government would take measures soon to bring it under control.

He accused certain politicians of inciting the labor unrest, saying that "it is not just the miners striking, it is also some people of some description who are going there to instigate miners to operate in a particular way. "

His remarks were seen as referring to Malema.