This followed a visit to workers evicted from the Spruitfontein farm near Rustenburg in the North West.

Among those who visited farm and the workers were officials from the minerals and energy, labour and land affairs departments, the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Human Rights Commission.

"The site, which was more like a slum than a farm, is now totally flattened. Everything is destroyed... The only thing moving around that place are chickens," said minerals and energy department spokesperson Bheki Khumalo.

"The conditions under which black people live on farms 14 years after democracy is despicable and a disgrace," he said.

The farmer, Eddie Engelbrecht, evicted 33 families on Thursday last week after obtaining a court order.

Khumalo said the court order was granted on 4 February and the decision was executed a day before Workers' Day on 1 May.

"Engelbrecht alleges that the eviction was due to mining activity that would take place on the farm.

"There is some mining activity adjacent to Mr Engelbrecht's farm. [The] question is, does that company have extended mining rights?" asked Khumalo.

He said the department of minerals and energy would appoint an attorney and appeal the eviction order within 10 days.

The department had agreed that disaster management officials would work with the provincial government to provide the displaced families with food, water and other essentials.

Khumalo said it was also looking for accommodation on other restitution land.

In terms of the legislation, if people have occupied land for a period of six months, they must be given alternative land before they are evicted, he said.

"We want to know what is the basis of the eviction and why the court granted the order when alternative accommodation has not been arranged?"

Those evicted said that setting up a home outside the farm would alienate them from their ancestors.

Phil Molelekeng (46) whose parents were buried on the farm, said: "If I relocate, I will not be able to visit the graves as per our custom."

Women and children were put up with friends and relatives at other farms on Thursday night. The men were left by the side of the road until the Rustenburg municipality took them to the Marikana hall. They are being temporarily accommodated at the Marikana Clinic.