Cogta Minister to pledge support for the victims of mining dam collapse at Jagersfontein
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Following a devastating scene of a mining dam at Jagersfontein in the Free State which left three people dead and several others missing or unaccounted for, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the Department of Cooperative Governance have expressed sadness in the incident.
Jagersfontein residents in Kopanong Local Municipality (Xhariep District Municipality), woke up to a horrific scene at around 6am on Sunday where several video clips which were circulated on social media saw the dam collapsing in full view of some residents.
The water flooded to the nearby residential homes damaging several infrastructures as well as power lines.
“The tailings of the abandoned local mine burst open leading to damages 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.”
“Some people are displaced, others lost property, whilst others are reported injured and missing.”
“Multi-disciplinary teams consisting of the South African Police Service, emergency medical services, health, disaster management, social development, search and rescue personnel and engineers from the mine responded immediately and are on the scene where search, rescue, immediate relief and stabilization operations are underway.”
Minister Dlamini-Zuma added that she received reports that the flow of the water has ceased and the immediate threat is being stabilized.
She also said all immediate necessary support for victims was and still being provided on the scene.
Eskom has reported that it lost bulk supply to Centlec, the electricity distributor responsible for Jagersfontein town and township but they aim to restore electricity supply to the mine before the end of the day.
