MARIKANA, South Africa (AP) — Lonmin PLC platinum producer says it is halting work on a new shaft and will not require 1,200 contract workers as a bloody and bitter strike at its Marikana mine in South Africa.

Police meanwhile blocked firebrand politician Julius Malema from addressing some 2,000 strikers gathered at the mine’s stadium on Monday. Malema has called for a nationwide mine strike.

Lonmin spokeswoman Sue Vey said the company has advised contractor Murray & Roberts that it will not be needing its 1,200 workers. They are among some 10,000 contract workers employed at the mine along with 28,000 employees.

Attendance has been below 1 percent in recent days at Lonmin’s nine shafts. Lonmin saying most miners want to work but are intimidated by threats from a few thousand strikers.