The strike highlighted poor wages and living and working conditions for most South African workers, the widening gap between rich and poor that makes the country the most unequal nation on Earth, and raised questions about President Jacob Zuma’s leadership just as he prepares for a crucial governing party congress in December that will decide whether he gets another term as leader of Africa’s richest economy.

Zuma said Monday that strikes have cost the country more than US$500 million this year.

The Lonmin workers were the first to strike and in recent weeks seven other mines had work stoppages, including six platinum mines, one gold and one chrome mine.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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