Government, platinum producer Lonmin and police were criticised by the Bench Marks Foundation on Saturday for firing rubber bullets at residents and protesters in the Nkaneng informal settlement in Marikana.

"I am shocked and extremely angry to hear today that the police are out in full force and people have phoned me to tell me that workers have been shot at," said the foundation's chair Bishop Jo Seoka in a statement

"In addition six women walking in Marikana were shot [at] with rubber bullets, and one is in hospital."

Seoka was concerned that the hard work in maintaining peace may end because of the violence.

He said government and the Lonmin should be held accountable.

"The workers have been peaceful, [have] not injured anyone..... police asked the workers to give in any weapons. This they did and then they were shot at. This is a gross violation of human rights," he said.

The Bench Marks Foundation is an independent faith-based organisation monitoring corporate performance, and is involved in the mediation process at the mine.

On Saturday, several residents claimed they were injured when police fired rubber bullets at them.

One resident, Melita Ramasedi, said she was wounded while watching police breaking up a crowd of protesters.

"I am deeply hurt by this situation. A police nyala drove past us, we were a group of women and others ran away.

"I just stood there, watching and they shot me in my leg," she said showing her bleeding leg.

Another woman Ntombe Ncence told journalists she was at the entrance of a spaza shop when she was hit by a rubber bullet.

"I do not understand why the police officers shot me. I was knocking at the door of a shop and police officers inside a nyala shot my leg."

Earlier, protesters gathered at the location where 34 people were killed by police on August 16.

Police used rubber bullets and pepper spray to disperse the crowd.

Police also raided a nearby hostel where five people were arrested.

A variety of weapons were seized, including knobkerries and pangas.

Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said the people were arrested during a disarmament operation at a hostel.

Twelve people were arrested during the raid.