More than 10 buses from various mines in the Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, area were hijacked this morning.

Mineworkers, who were either coming off night shift or going onto morning shift, were supposed to use the buses but were left stranded when suspected hijackers forced the vehicles off the R555 Roossenekal road, which is the main road from Lydenburg to almost all mining operations.

According to information received by Steelburger/Lydenburg News, the bus drivers were instructed to drive to an undisclosed location. The exact location is still unknown.

A reliable source told the newspaper that hundreds of workers were prevented from leaving and going to work.

“We ask people to remain calm and not spread false rumours regarding the situation. There are no hostages at this stage. The incident is being investigated,” the source said.

The perpetrators have not been identified, nor has their modus operandi been established.

The SAPS were called out to the scene after the incident occurred.

Speculation is that several community groups are unhappy that miners from Limpopo are being appointed at the mines in the area and that the local workforce is not being utilised. The true reason behind the hijacking, is, however, still uncertain.

No other information was available at the time of publishing.

The road is open and traffic is flowing.