Our main findings are that:
*
Thousands of poor people in rural areas have lost agricultural
land – their main means of livelihood – due to mining activities
undertaken by Anglo Platinum.
*
They are generally offered little compensation and insufficient
ways of making an alternative living.
*
Whole communities have lost access to clean drinking water.
Independent water sampling analysis commissioned by ActionAid has
discovered serious water pollution at four sites near Anglo Platinum's
mines, including two schools. Mining activities are the most likely
cause of this pollution, which has made the water unfit for human
consumption.
*
Villagers have been removed from their homes in relocation
agreements signed with associations that the company claims represent
the community, but which have actually been established by the company
itself.
*
Many communities are subject to constant intrusive mining
activities, especially blasting, which is damaging their homes and
environment.
*
Community protests to improve services offered to villagers or to
challenge Anglo Platinum over land take-overs have often been met with
brutality by the police and legal action by the company.
*
Anglo Platinumis continuing to expand itsmining operations in
densely populated rural areas, which will result in further imminent
displacements.
Demands:
ActionAid is calling on the South African Parliament to reject proposed
amendments to the mining act that would substantially weaken
environmental and social safeguards.
"Instead, ActionAid asks parliament to revise the law to require prior
informed consent by the communities whose land is earmarked for mining
and a guarantee of fair compensation," says Zanele Twala, ActionAid's
country director in South Africa.
"We are asking the South African Human Rights Commission to investigate
the issues raised in our report."
"We need action in South Africa and also at the United Nations, to
ensure multinationals like Anglo Platinum are held to account on human
rights issues," said Alex Wijeratna, ActionAid corporate campaigner.
