A group of women armed with knobkerries moved toward a hill on Wednesday where some striking miners had gathered near Lonmin’s Marikana mine in North West.

The women, who claimed to be wives of the workers, settled about 500m from the hill in the area, where 10 people had been killed in violent protests since last Friday.

“We have joined our husbands in their bid to earn a living wage. We cannot take this thing anymore,” Maria Nku said.

She said her husband earned R4000 a month, and that this was not enough to cover their living expenses.

“We are joining them in their fight; we are the ones who suffer at home because of the peanuts that our husbands earn.”

On top of the hill the group of men stood up and sang liberation songs.

Police were keeping watch.

Meanwhile, Minister of Minerals and Energy Susan Shabangu will be having talks with the Lonmin management, unions and staff at the mine.

This follows concerted efforts by warring unions to mete way forward.

At the time of posting, no comment was obtained on how far are the talks.