A clash between striking miners and security guards has left three protesters dead and another 15 injured near Boitekong, North West police said on Thursday.
Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said security guards at the K5 Khwezi mine opened fire on about 250 mineworkers who were attempting to force entry to the mine on Wednesday at 1.30pm.
Ngubane said police were called to the scene and found petrol bombs used by the striking employees.
Ballistics testing will be done on the firearms of the security guards and a post mortem conducted on the dead. A case of murder and attempted murder is being investigated.
Ngubane said the mineworkers had been on an illegal strike for the past two weeks. Wednesday's clash followed the dismissal of the mine workers by the employer. - Sapa