Zuma calls in the troops

President Zuma's office said he was invoking the constitution to use troops to support police until January 31 - although they have already been in action for several days.

Police with water cannon and armoured cars confronted striking Amplats platinum miners today at a shanty town where residents set up barricades of burning tyres and logs.

The authorities had refused to give permission for thousands of Amplats strikers to hold a march demanding a monthly salary of 16,070 rand (£1,190).

Poice dispersed the strikers and Amplats told workers to turn up for work by Thursday night or it would declare the strike illegal which gives it the power to fire strikers.

Meanwhile, Cosatu and the Amplats strike leader said that police have killed two more people during the crackdown.

Cosatu has already condemned the brutality of police for the August 16 shootings that left 34 dead.

A miner died when police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades to break up a march by thousands of Amplats strikers on Wednesday.

Strike leader Evans Ramokga said that a miner had been run over by a police armoured car and dragged several feet. The man died overnight in hospital.

Cosatu said that ANC councillor Paulina Masuhlo died on Wednesday after being hit by police firing rubber bullets in the Wonderkop shanty town when she was out shopping. Police said they were investigating the death.

Cosatu called for "the immediate suspension of the police officers involved in Ms Masuhlo's murder."

"We are also extremely unhappy that, to date, none of the police officers involved in the massacre on August 16 has been identified or suspended- this is totally unacceptable and unlawful," said the union body.

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