Earlier police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi had incorrectly told Reuters the workers were employed by Northam, the world's fifth largest platinum producer. Amplats said it was in negotiation with the protesters to resolve the matter. South Africa's platinum producers are bracing for more work stoppages as the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and its rival AMCU have threatened top producers Amplats, Impala Platinum and Lonmin with strikes which could affect at least half of global output. The country was hit by wildcat strikes last year which dented economic growth, led to a credit downgrade and saw dozens being killed in the turf war between AMCU and the NUM. (Reporting by Peroshni Govender; Editing by Louise Ireland and Elaine Hardcastle)