A nationwide, indefinite transport strike paralyzed South African railways and ports and forced mining groups Xstrata and Samancor to declare force majeure on Wednesday on ferrochrome exports.

The three day old strike at state logistics group Transnet widened after the company's biggest union joined in what is the latest public protest ahead of next month's World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa.

Xstrata said it would halt shipment of ferrochrome. Ms Pam Bell spokeswoman of Xstrata said “The situation is still being assessed, until we have got a better idea of what is happening, it is going to be difficult to ascertain the impact.”

As per report, Samancor, the world's 2nd biggest ferrochrome producer, also declared force majeure.