South African President Jacob Zuma declared Saturday that he will start an inquiry into what he labeled the "tragic" killings of platinum miners. Workers of Lonmin's platinum mine in Marikana were striking in order to increase their wage from $648 to $1500 a month. After two policemen were allegedly hacked to death by the striking workers, the police force allegedly killed 34 and injured 74 more in a shooting. Zuma cut a visit to Mozambique short in order to visit the crime scene. He said in a statement after than now was a time for morning, and pledged that the perpetrators will be held accountable. Police Chief Riah Phiyega said that the forces at the strike were "forced" to use maximum force after they were rushed by a number of workers. On the other hand the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union said that the police's act was unnecessary. The union also considered the incident as a "massacre. President Zuma himself described the incident as "Shocking." Some 259 people, all from the workers, were arrested after the incident. Lonmin, the company that owns the mine, is currently the third-largest platinum producer in the world.