Southern Platinum has announced that it has dismissed more than 100 workers at the Messina Platinum operation after they pursued illegal industrial action.

The go-slow strike was largely conducted by rock drill operators, with the three main unions condemning the action.

In total, 138 rock drill operators began strike action on Friday, calling for improved wages and downing tools.

In response Southern Platinum dismissed all the men over the weekend and said it would aim to manage the issue in the short-term.

In a statement the firm said: "In an effort to minimize the impact of this illegal action on Messina's production, mine management is redeploying rock drill operators from the older and less productive down-dip stopes on the eastern side of the mine to the newer and more productive long-hole stopes on the western side of the mine.

"It is expected that replacement rock drill operators will also be hired."

Southern Platinum has a 91.5 per cent holding in the Johannesburg-listed Messina Platinum.