Swift intervention by police officers saved a man from protesting Lonmin mineworkers near Marikana on Monday afternoon.

Armed protesters wielding various weapons - including knobkerries, pangas and spears - marched from mine shaft to mine shaft calling for the closure of all operations.

The strikers insisted that people they met on the way join them in their procession. A middle-aged man saw the arms-wielding crowd approaching, and turned and ran away.

Armed strikers gave chase, shouting, as the man sprinted to a nearby main road.

There, he was picked up by one of several police vehicles - including Nyalas, which were escorting the protesters - and was taken to safety.

The strikers had congregated at the entrance to Lonmin's Eastern platinum mine before midday.