MARIKANA, South Africa, Aug 17 (Reuters) - South African
police were forced to open fire to protect themselves from
charging armed protesters at the Marikana mine, and 34 of the
protesters were killed, Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega said on
Friday.
She told a news conference that 78 people were injured and
259 arrested in Thursday's violence.
"The police members had to employ force to protect
themselves from the charging group," Phiyega said.