Four hundred workers at the troubled mine have already been fired for their involvement in two hostage situations in 2023 related to a court interdicted labour dispute preventing any illegal strikes.
Miners have reportedly been held against their will at the bottom of the mine shaft for a third day. Reports also suggest that the hostage drama at the mine in Springs has turned violent as workers allegedly clashed underground.
The tension stems from union rivalry was initially de-escalated without any incidents, but there have been sporadic protests outside the operation since then.