Global platinum miner Anglo American Platinum wanted to divert its business from South Africa and send the country's mining industry "to the dogs," the African National Congress (ANC) said on Wednesday.
"The ANC condemns the action taken by Anglo American Platinum Limited who have exploited and then mercilessly created conditions to eliminate 14 000 jobs of which 13 000 are in the Rustenburg area," said spokesperson Jackson Mthembu.
The company warned on Monday that it would axe 14 000 jobs in a major restructuring of its operations.
The party called the decision "cynical and dangerous in the extreme".
Minister of Minerals and Energy Susan Shabangu should call an urgent industry meeting to have companies who wanted to mothball mine shafts surrender their licences.
"Such licences can be put on a public auction for new owners who are still hungry to mine, to put them to good use."