South Africa Mine Deaths Show Wealth Gap Inciting Tension

South Africa’s worst mine violence since the end of apartheid in 1994 has highlighted one of the world’s biggest wealth gaps that senior government officials say is stirring up social tension in Africa’s biggest economy.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan warned last week that income inequality threatens the nation’s democracy, reflecting concern expressed by investors and credit rating agencies. Police shot and killed 34 striking mineworkers at Lonmin Plc’s Marikana operation last month during a protest over higher wages.