Up in arms: World Cup workers protesting in Durban on Wednesday in one of a series of protests across South Africa this week.

Spokesman Vishnu Naidoo confirmed officers used force on a group of around 200 stadium stewards who gathered outside the offices of private security firm this morning.

He said the workers were among the several thousand who walked out of their jobs providing security at World Cup stadiums earlier this amid a row over wages.

"There were around 200 guys down at the offices, where a meeting was taking place inside," said Colonel Naidoo.

"They were calm at first but then they tried to get in and disrupt the meeting.

"Our officers fired stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse them."

Police said 12 people were arrested following the incident, which started at around 11.40am.

They were all due to be charged under the Gatherings Act and expected to appear in court on Friday.

Dozens of police officers from the South African Police Service and Cape Town Metro Police were involved in the operation.

Officials said it was not thought anyone had been injured in the incident.

The striking workers have launched a string of protests since beginning industrial action on Monday against their employer, private firm Stallion Security.

Yesterday the police confirmed they had taken over permanent security duties at four of South Africa's 10 World Cup stadiums after stewards went on strike.

The workers claim they were promised better wages than they have received during the tournament.

Their jobs will now be filled by trainee police officers.

Around 1,000 will be deployed at the Cape Town stadium tomorrow for England's match against Algeria.