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#JagersfonteinDisaster: President Ramaphosa arrives

───   LUCKY NKUYANE 17:07 Mon, 12 Sep 2022

#JagersfonteinDisaster: President Ramaphosa arrives | News Article
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressing those affected by the flood (PHOTO: OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane)

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived at Jagersfontein in the Free State where a mine dam of the Jagersfontein Development Project collapsed on Sunday morning, flooding the town.

The President was expected to be briefed by officials at the Diamond Hospital.

He would then head to Fauresmith, where he is set to address more than 200 affected families who have since been taken to the town for shelter.

So far only one person has been confirmed dead, with several other residents missing following the flood.

ALSO READ: Houses, cars swept away by strong stream of water in Free State town | WATCH

On Sunday, Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela’s spokesperson, Palesa Chubisi, announced the province has deployed a disaster management team and the Joint Operation Centre. 

The teams will determine the extent of the damage and also carry out an evacuation processes where necessary. 

ALSO READ: #JagersfonteinFlood: One dies in tragedy


Meanwhile, the mine announced that it has since availed millions of rands to the affected parties.

ALSO READ: Ntombela sends disaster management teams to Jagersfontein

According to mine spokesperson, Leigh Ann Carey, R20 million has been made available with immediate effect.

ALSO READ: Millions made available to #JagersfonteinFlood victims

Kopanong Local Municipality spokesperson, Solomzi Phama, told OFM News they can confirm, without fear of favour, that there was negligence which led to the disaster.

Phama said negligence was something that has been raised by the mayor, Xolani Tseletsele, even before he ascended to the position of mayor.

ALSO READ: Alleged negligence led to collapse of #Jagersfontein dam - WATCH

Following the Jagersfontein mine dam disaster, one of the affected residents - Tshepisong Ngubeni - hopes President Cyril Ramaphosa will provide clarity on what will be done to address houses lost when the dam wall broke on Sunday. He also called on mine representatives to take responsibility for what transpired.

ALSO READ: #Jagersfontein victims talk about their traumatic experience

Meanwhile, the Free State spokesperson for provincial Emergency Medical Services (EMS) on Monday told OFM News the search still continues for two missing people, and not six to eight as initially reported by officials.

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