The cases were filed as far back as 2014, with the last one registered at the weekend.

They range from intimidation to assault, trespassing and attempted murder, and were all opened at Mooinooi police station.

The group, who are against the deal, claim that perpetrators are associated with the tribal authority. Their opposition to the deal stems from the belief that it did not serve the interest of the community and that there was no transparency when it was signed.

The matter has since been referred to the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

For the first time the SAHRC, which chaired a hearing on socioeconomic challenges in mining-affected communities, in Braamfontein yesterday, heard of the brutality and intolerance the deal has spawned in Bapong, near Brits. Some have fled their homes.

Bapong resident Kgomotso Morare, 36, in an emotional plea yesterday, begged the commission to intervene in what he called a "volatile situation" in his village.

Morare sustained three deep wounds to his head after he was attacked with pangas by unknown people after a community meeting on Saturday, where the Lonmin deal was discussed. He said the attacker blocked the car he and his friend were in, forcing it to stop.

"They took our car keys, beat us and took our money. Today is my daughter's birth, but I can't be with her because I had to leave Bapong and flee to live with a relative. The police are not doing anything to help us because the cases we open with them are never investigated," said Morare.

Commissioner Mohamed Ameermia, who chaired the hearing, said to Morare: "Please look after yourself. We are concerned about your safety."

In an interview with Sowetan after Morare's submission, Ameermia made a commitment to have all the cases opened with the police probed by his commission.

"We will talk to the people in our office in North West to investigate these cases and to check why they are not being finalised. If this is true then it cannot be allowed to go on like this. It's people's lives we are talking about here," he said.

Source: Sowetan Live