Rustenburg , South Africa ( CNN ) -- South Africans wept , sang somber hymns and prayed at memorial services Thursday to mourn 44 people killed during labor protests in the nation 's mining heartland . At the main service , traditional leaders and church officials in flowing robes led the prayers near the site of the clashes at the Marikana mine , operated by Lonmin , one of the world 's largest platinum producers . Some grief-stricken mourners fainted and had to be carried out of the ceremony by relatives and friends . Various government officials attended the main ceremony , but police officers were not welcome , at the request of the miners . Of the dozens killed at the Marikana mine , 34 died in a hail of gunfire from police officers , who said they shot at the machete-armed protesters in self-defense on August 16 . At least 78 others suffered injuries . What 's behind the Marikana massacre ? Lonmin was closed to allow miners , some of whom have returned to work despite the strikes , to attend the memorial services . Company officials said no incidents occurred at the mine overnight . Strikes at the mine started two weeks ago when thousands of rock drillers demanded higher wages . Lonmin rejected the demand and called the strike illegal . Violence intensified last week when police fired live ammunition into a crowd of protesters , killing 34 people and sparking a national outcry . The protesters , armed with machetes and sticks , defied orders to lay down their weapons , posing a threat to police officers , according to authorities . Ten others died in the earlier days of the protests , including two police officers who were hacked to death . A rivalry between two unions that wield a lot of power and influence in the nation added to the tension . The unions , accused of trying to outdo each other in negotiating wages , denied instigating the clashes . Thousands protest at scene of mine shootings . The memorial service comes as workers at two more platinum companies in the northwest echoed Lonmin workers , signaling spreading labor discontent . About 1,000 workers gathered at nearby Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine on Wednesday to voice their discontent . They returned to work a day later . `` We congratulate the workers for refusing to be misled by people with political ambitions and for returning to work '' said Sydwell Dokolwana , a regional secretary for the company . Across the street from Marikana , at a mine owned by Anglo American Platinum mine , a group of workers gave management until Friday to respond to a list of demands . The company said workers have not made any threats to go on strike . South African President Jacob Zuma addressed the miners at the Marikana site Wednesday and said he has launched a commission of inquiry to investigate the killings . `` We want the truth , '' Zuma said . `` This is painful to all of us . It is not acceptable for people to die where talks can be held . '' Grievances , fears of instability spread to other South African mines . CNN 's Karen Smith contributed to this report .
NEW : Lonmin refuses to allow miners to attend services . NEW : Some workers have resumed work following the strikes . NEW : Company officials say no incidents occurred at the mine overnight . Government officials and mine workers attend the memorial service near the site of the clashes .