Members of the Provincial Portfolio Committee on Public Works joined the Delegation on their visit to G-hostel and undertook to do further oversight work in the area and share the outcome with the Delegation. The Delegation, escorted by the SAPS, made a short visit to G-hostel to try and get a better perspective on the activities related to illegal mining. The criminals were able to scatter a few seconds before the police could pounce on them. In their haste to escape they abandoned their equipment, which included trays filled with stolen gold bearing material ready to be processed. The Delegation saw the problem first hand when one person was arrested for being in possession of narcotics. G-hostel is owned and managed by the municipality and is supposed to accommodate municipal employees and their families. The hostel residents complained to the Delegation that the local authorities were not concerned with their problems. The retrenchment of mine workers and others in the area resulted in a huge increase of residents. Foreigners practicing criminal activities also contributed to the increase in numbers. According to the SAPS many of the residents are involved in illegal activities, including the illegal selling of drugs, liquor and firearms. The living conditions of residents are very poor and most of the roads are strewn with sewerage and potholes are evident. G- hostel also poses serious health hazards to the inhabitants and contributes to low levels of learning in schools in the area and those schools situated nearby. 4. Impala Platinum Mine, Rustenburg, North West Province