Police dispersed striking mineworkers at the Aquarius Platinum mine on Friday, a few hours after a delegation of government ministers warned that illegal protesters would be "dealt with swiftly".
Police were seen chasing after protesters near the Rustenburg mine where they had gathered earlier and demanded its closure.
A police helicopter cornered one of the protesters, who was also being chased by policemen on the ground, and then arrested him.
Protesters ran away and a few minutes later the area was quiet, with no workers to be seen.
More police nyalas arrived at the scene shortly after Justice Minister Jeff Radebe told reporters at a media briefing in Pretoria that illegal strikers would be face the full might of the law.
A report on Talk Radio 702 said police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters.
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