We have nowhere to go, says Blyvooruitzicht resident
The people of the Blyvooruitzicht community outside Carletonville described their living conditions as 'hell on earth' after the local mine was provisionally liquidated almost four years ago.
Former employees and residents spoke at the release of a Lawyers for Human Rights impact assessment in Johannesburg.
Resident Pule Molefe tearfully detailed how they have lived in fear since work at the mine stopped.
He says illegal miners and scrap metal dealers have overrun and terrorised the town of about 6000 people.
Molefe says Blyvooruitzicht is a no man's land.
"Blyvoor is our home. We have nowhere to go. That's our humble request. We have been through hell and back again. It's been four years. No one ever came to our assistance," says Molefe.
Lawyers for Human Rights' Michael Clements says the state and the private sector are both to blame for the catastrophe at Blyvooruitzicht.
She says it is part of a larger crisis facing mining communities.