South African platinum mine to rehire 12,000 striking workers JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Officials of a South African platinum mine have agreed to reinstate thousands of workers fired during a prolonged strike, union officials say. Lesiba Seshoka, a spokesman for the National Union of Mineworkers, announced the agreement Friday evening, Mineweb reported. Anglo American Platinum agreed to reinstate 12 000 workers dismissed at its Rustenburg mine on the condition they return to work by Tuesday, Seshoka said. The company said it would give returning workers a $230 "hardship allowance" because of the long period during which they were not paid. Miners who did not go on strike will receive a "loyalty allowance" in the same amount. Workers will also get a $290 advance that they would begin to repay in January, the spokesman said. The company suspended operations Sept. 12, accusing striking miners of violence and intimidation against its working miners. The spokesman said the union would discuss the agreement with workers during the weekend.