Malema tells miners to strike every month for pay

CARLETONVILLE, South Africa (AFP) - South Africa's firebrand politician Julius Malema on Tuesday called on mine workers to strike for five days each month until mining giants bow to a 12,500 rand ($1,526) basic salary demand.

Malema, who was expelled early this year from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) for ill-discipline, told around 3,000 workers at a stadium in this gold mining town where 15,000 Gold Fields miners downed tools on Sunday night.

"If they don't meet your demand, we are going to strike every month for five days until we reach 12,500 rand," Malema told a cheering crowd at a stadium in this town west of Johannesburg.

Since the start of the wildcat strike at Lonmin Marikana platinum mine a month ago, Malema has been moving from mine to mine inciting workers to make the mines "ungovernable"

Miners at Marikana are demanding a 12,500 rand pay, claiming they currently earn around 4,000 rand.

"The struggle for Marikana must go into all the mines - 12,500!"

"There must be a national strike at all the mines," he said.

The youth leader, who was axed in April by the ANC, has capitalised on the mining unrest to push his radical views.

Known by the nickname "Juju", he has no formal union or political affiliation, but has all the same gained popularity among the striking workers in recent weeks.

Some of the Gold Fields strikers carried placards written "President Juju".

Demanding the removal of their local union leadership and asking for tax-free bonuses, the Gold Fields workers downed tools at its KDC mine west of Johannesburg.

The stoppage, coming exactly a month after a deadly strike was launched at Lonmin's Marikana platinum mine that left 44 dead, is the latest to hit South Africa's vital mining sector.