The protest came two days ahead of the South African Human Rights Commission’s launch into their own review of activities undertaken by Anglo Platinum around the PPL Mine.

The report will be published on Tuesday 4 November at the SAHRC offices in Johannesburg.

“We are all crying out in despair, asking for any kind of intervention from the government to help us deal with Anglo Platinum,” said Phillipos Dolo, a community activist.

The communities delivered a list of demands to Anglo Platinum, including:

The halting of the relocation of Seritarita High School, in Sekineng village

Working with the local government to ensure access to safe, drinking water

Consulting with individuals and families rather than using Section 21 companies.

Increasing compensation for lost farming land.

In addition, they are asking the government to establish an independent body, to monitor and oversee the consultation process with communities, making sure that all villagers understand and are in agreement with the relocation process.

“The report will hopefully bring about a positive shift in the way mining companies in South Africa operate,” said ActionAid's Country Director, Zanele Twala.

“Mining companies have to respect the basic human rights upheld in the South African Constitution.

“They have a corporate social responsibility to make sure that communities who live on mineral-rich land are not left more impoverished as a result of mining."

In March, ActionAid released an investigative report, ‘Precious Metal: the impact of Anglo Platinum on poor communities in the Limpopo in South Africa,’ and their findings were handed to the SAHRC for investigation.

“We used to live in harmony, we had food and electricity,” said Rose Dlabela, of Ga Pila village.

“But the mine came and buried us alive. It’s like someone comes to live in your house and then kicks you out.”