Platinum mining company Lonmin is under pressure on various fronts.
The strike was allegedly incited by Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) workers who demanded that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) offices at the Saffy shaft were too close to their own and should be moved off the property.
NUM shop steward Edwin Pholo told the Mail & Guardian on Tuesday that NUM members were scared of Amcu.
"They are demanding the key to our offices but I don't know why," he said.
Lonmin's executive vice-president Mike Munroe said the company's management would be meeting with the unions on Tuesday afternoon.
"It's contrary to the peace accord and it's illegal," he said. "Our objective is to find a solution to this situation."
Strikers included 2 150 employees at the Newman shaft and 271 contract workers as well as 3 360 employees at the Saffy shaft and 377 contract workers.
The strike began at the Saffy mine where many members of the media were scheduled to visit. Management said this was not coincidental.
Claims of manipulation
?Last month, platinum producer Lonmin denied manipulating the union membership verification processes to benefit Amcu.
"Lonmin believes in freedom of association. There is no intimidation. We cannot decide who joins what union," spokesperson Sue Vey said at the time.
Her remarks came after the Congress of South African Trade Unions general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi condemned the management of Impala Platinum, Anglo American Platinum and Lonmin for apparently giving Amcu preferential treatment as it sought members.
"[They] are manipulating the membership verification process and employing the age-old tactic of divide-and-rule," said Vavi.
Platinum mines in and around Rustenburg were plagued by labour unrest since August.
Violent protests said to be linked to rivalry between the NUM and Amcu claimed the lives of at least 44 people.