PRESIDENTCyril Ramaphosa yesterday addressed Jagersfontein residents in the Free State, saying the government was there to support the community and restore livelihoods in the wake of the collapse of part of Jagersfontein Developments’ mine’s tailings dam at the weekend, which led to the loss of life and a flood of water that devastated homes.
He said in light of this disaster the government would call on the Mining Council and other non-governmental organisations to come and help support the people of Jagersfontein to rebuild.
The historic mine dam collapsed on Sunday, in the Kopanong Local Municipality in the Free State, leading to the death of one person, and displacement of many others. (It has been confirmed three- deaths were reported).
The cause of the collapse has yet to be determined. The mine’s tailings dam collapsed at about 6am on Sunday. The flow of water had stopped by Sunday afternoon.
After the dam collapsed on Sunday, the government through the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma activated a National Disaster Management Centre for the affected communities.
“The tailings of the abandoned local mine burst open, leading to damage to infrastructure, personal property, and homes. The untold damages in and around the community of Charlesville in Jagersfontein are extensive and have negatively impacted the community,” Dlamini Zuma said.
Meanwhile, the minister of mineral resources and energy Gwede Mantashe visited the area since this morning, reports SYDNEY MORWENG– News Ed.
He was accompanied by his deputy Dr Nobuhle Nkabane.
Acting director of planning and social development at the Gariep District municipality, Morakane Keswa said that since Sunday, technical teams have drafted daily developments.
Keswa said 51 houses had been destroyed and 103 others affected.
She said the death toll remained one.
The deceased had been identified as 70-year-old Mr Mosweu.
She said teams are still searching for a missing elderly woman.
“Medical interventions are under way to assist those affected.”
She said 74 patients were admitted at a nearby hospital and two others admitted at Diamant Hospital in Jagersfontein.
Image (Sello Tshalau trying to remove the mud in his household).
