BuaNews (Tshwane)
Edwin Tshivhidzo
10 July 2009
Pretoria — The North West Police are currently negotiating the release of mine supervisors being held hostage by temporary mine workers at the Crocodile Mine, near Hartebeespoort.
The miners, who are demanding to be employed permanently, are threatening to stay underground until their demands are met. The hostage situation started on Thursday morning when 500 miners decided to lock themselves in a mine shaft, taking several supervisors hostage for leverage.
Provincial police spokesperson, Superintendent Lesekgo Metsi, said initially the mine workers took eight supervisors hostage. "Three of the supervisors managed to escape and there are now five who are left," Superintendent Metsi told BuaNews.
He said they hoped the hostage takers would release the remaining supervisors before the end of the day.
According to Superintendent Metsi, the situation at the mine is extremely dangerous and may of the miners who arrived for work on Friday morning were barred from entering the premises.
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