R800-1800 living out allowance = more backyard dwellers + skwatter camps in Marikana.(extract from Rustenburg Review 2011)

Squatter camps are common sight in Marikana with the likes of Skierkerlik, Storm Huise, Brampie, Group Five, Donkerhoek, Big House, Phatsima, Erasmus, Mabhomvane, Madrateng, Meditlhokwa, Tshilong, Swart Koppoe, NKaneng ( Wonderkop).
Squatter camps increase due to a flawed housing policies applicable in the mining industry (The living out allowance housing policy), low wages paid by industry and companies contracted to the industries. These contracted companies do not have housing for their employees as they move from place to place time and again.
The living out allowance of the mining industry around is R1800 per month and R800 for construction company employees. With this amount of income they cannot afford the suitable accommodation, food and transport. This results in the mushrooming of squatter camps which are havens for health risks and crime and environmental degradation.
Squatter camps are horrible sight and undermine human dignity and rights as there are mo delivery of services such as water, sanitation and waste collection.

Waste is everywhere and rot produces horrible smells which eventually attracts flies which are known to transfer diseases.
The lack of electricity has resulted in deforestation which has major influence in climate change as people cut trees for wood and times for poles.

Squatter camps are not safe in that young women/girls looking for ever elusive employment in the mines aware from their guardians/parents end up in prostitution. This results in unsafe sex practises as men use their financial supremacy to dictate terms and conditions in the transaction. The weakness of these girls lies mainly in the food, accommodation and so on. Hence the HIV and AIDS rate are at a shocking level around mining communities.