'Strike-breakers' flung off train

The six were thrown from a commuter train

Six suspected strike-breakers have died after being thrown from a train near Johannesburg, South African police say.

Five bodies were found beside the railway in Benoni, and a sixth man died on the way to hospital.

The victims are believed to be security guards who were going to work despite a long running strike calling for better wages and working conditions.

Clashes with police and attacks on working security guards have been linked to the strike in several cities.

"We are investigating [the train killings] at the moment but we believe the attacks may be linked to the ongoing strike," Senior Superintendent Eugene Opperman told the South African Press Association.

"It is believed that the attackers may have been looking for people who were not taking part in the strike," he said.

The South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) and 14 other unions first went on strike one month ago.

Satawu resumed the strike this month, and is continuing to demand an 11% pay increase after other unions agreed to a rise of 8.3%.

South Africa's security industry has boomed as a result of high crime levels and under-resourced police.

Guards typically work long hours in dangerous conditions for minimal wages.

Strikers' initial demands included the right to use the toilet without being charged with deserting a position.