SOUTH AFRICA -The Platinum Workers in South Africa has, on Thursday, embarked on strike over pay

The strike was expected to halt production by the world's top three platinum producers.

Meanwhile, a separate strike in the gold sector initially planned for Thursday,  has been postponed following a court ruling.

Judge Hamilton Cele said that a decision on whether the protest by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) is "protected" - enabling workers to down tools without being dismissed or disciplined - will be taken on 30 January.