Prominent politician calls on South Africans president to resign . `` Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega on Friday said police `` were forced to utilize maximum force to defend themselves . '' President Lonmin announces a government inquiry of the incident . Police say they fired at the striking workers in self-defense . 44 people were killed Thursday in violence at the mine -- 44 on this week .
Prominent politician calls on South Africans president to resign . President Lonmin announces a government inquiry of the incident . Police say they fired at the striking workers in self-defense . 44 people were killed Thursday in violence at the mine -- 44 on this week .