Local leaders, Vryheid mine officials meet
Local leaders have been in a closed meeting with mine representatives at Vaalkrantz Anthracite Colliery.
Dozens of workers have refused to leave the mine since Monday in a protest over the termination of their contracts.
According to some workers, the contracts were due to end in December this year but they were informed in February that their services had been terminated.
Hlengiwe Mabaso who'd been participating in the sit-in says they've been working under strenuous conditions but have no choice because they have families to support.
Also read: Our contracts were terminated out of the blue: Vryheid miner
Mabaso says she's been with Keaton Energy since 2011. She spent four days underground in solidarity with the group and has described the experience.
"It's very dark in there which makes it difficult to walk and get around. It's hard to even be down there during normal working hours let alone for the past four days that we've been there for, we have to use rocks as pillows with stones poking us. It's very difficult," she said.
(Photo: Khatija Nxedlana)