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#JagersfonteinDisaster: Alleged negligence led to collapse of dam - WATCH─── LUCKY NKUYANE 11:44 Mon, 12 Sep 2022
The Trompsburg-based Kopanong Local Municipality in the Free State alleges that neglect played a big part in the disaster at Jagersfontein, where a wall of the mine's tailings dam collapsed.
The municipality's spokesperson, Solomzi Phama, tells OFM News that they confirm, without fear of favour, that there was negligence which led to the flood disaster which claimed lives and left over 100 people homeless or destitute, and some of the municipal infrastructure completely destroyed.
ALSO READ: Houses, cars swept away by strong stream of water in Free State town | WATCH
Phama says the negligence is something that has been raised by the mayor, Xolani Tseletsele, even before he ascended to the position of mayor. It's understood that the Minister of Human Settlements, Mamoloko Kubuyi, Mayor Tseletsele, speaker of Kopanong , Jerry Moitse, Xhariep District Mayor, Irene Mehlomakulu, and MEC for Cooperative Governance (Cogta), Mxolisi Dukwana, held a meeting at the Diamond District Hospital in Jagersfontein.
Phama adds that the police and other emergency services have not confirmed the second death following the mudslide but he, however, indicates that 6 to 8 people are still missing and that the search for them continues.
ALSO READ - #JagersfonteinFlood: One dies in tragedy
"The mine has been operating but they were not mining because they were only processing. The holding dam cracked in the early hours on Sunday, at 02:00, and then subsequently from 04:00 to 06:00 it burst. Negligence plays a pivotal role that I can confirm. It is a matter that the mayor has been rising since 2012," Phama further adds.
ALSO READ: Tailings dam in South Africa collapses – several dead
On Sunday, Premier Sisi Ntombela's office revised the number of those who died during the incident to one instead of three.
In total, 73 patients were treated for injuries at the Diamond District Hospital in Jagersfontein and 16 patients were released. The rest were kept for further observation.
ALSO READ - #Jagersfontein floods: Search for missing people to continue
OFM News previously reported that the MEC for Education in the province, Tate Makgoe, revealed that his department is on high alert following the mine dam disaster that struck the small town of Jagersfontein.
ALSO READ: Free State Education on high alert following #JagersfonteinFlood
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