The National Union of Mineworkers will on Wednesday protest against what it says is Anglo Platinum's practice of only hiring workers from the Rustenburg area.

"They chose to only hire local people and we are saying they should look broadly," said Lizwi Kwezi, Num branch secretary at the company's Rustenburg Platinum Mines in a statement on Tuesday. He accused the miner of focusing on Rustenburg alone.

"We are sending a message that says any delays in the development of labour-sending areas will have dire consequences."

The union's march would begin at the Bleskop mine and end at the company's offices in Rustenburg.

Anglo Platinum spokesperson Simon Tebele said the company's operations at Rustenburg employed workers from all provinces in the country. The company was aware that a march would take place on Wednesday afternoon.

Sapa