Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said the number was expected to increase.

"Those arrested [so far] have been charged under the Illegal Gathering Act as well public violence.... They have been burning tyres in the area," said Ngubane.

Earlier, five people were arrested during a disarmament operation at the Karee Mine hostel.

"[They] were arrested for dealing in dagga," said Ngubane.

Police seized pangas, knobkerries and other dangerous weapons during the raid.

Ngubane could not specify how many weapons had been seized but said there were "truckloads" of them.

Those arrested were likely to appear in court on Monday.

Another seven were arrested on Friday for contravening the Act at the nearby Aquarius Platinum mine.

Earlier, police fired rubber bullets and sprayed teargas in a bid to disperse the mineworkers in Nkaneng informal settlement in Wonderkop.

Workers had gathered at the open veld next to the koppie, where 34 people were killed in a violent confrontation on August 16.