Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela's spokesperson, Palesa Chubisi, says the premier, the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Mxolisi Dukwana, the Health MEC, Montseng Tsiu, and Executive Mayors of the Xhariep District Municipality and Kopanong Local Municipality handed out food parcels and blankets to displaced families.

Chubisi says Ntombela appealed to residents not to panic after pledging to support and assist all affected families. Ntombela is also expected to meet with representatives of the mine in question to get an understanding of what might have gone wrong.

OFM News previously reported that municipal spokesperson, Solomzi Phama, had indicated that over 100 houses have been affected while the main electrical power station of the entire town was damaged too.

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The Free State Department of Education is currently liaising with district officials and principals to provide an assessment report of the state of educational facilities in the province, including access from town and townships to the schools.

The Free State Education MEC, Tate Makgoe, confirmed on his social media accounts that school facilities were not affected by the flood, but it might be a challenge for learners and staff to access schools' premises.

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The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) spokesperson, Sipho Towa, says one life has been lost, whilst the search and rescue team will continue searching for missing people on Monday, 12 September 2022 after they had withdrawn last night.

Towa had also told OFM News that a total number of 73 patients were treated for injuries at the Diamant Hospital in Jagersfontein. At least 16 were released from hospital after being treated for minor injuries, while others remain admitted for further medical observation.

OFM News