Addressing residents at the Fauresmith Hall on Monday 12 September 2022, Ramaphosa said different provincial departments, including Cooperative Governance (Cogta) and Social Development, will work with the National Government to address the plight of over 200 affected residents.

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He says there will be an extensive investigation into the incident and has since requested to be given a full report on a weekly basis.

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Ramaphosa says he flew around the affected area with a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chopper and saw the damage caused by the flood disaster.

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So far only one person has been reported to have died as a result of the disaster.

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"There has been extensive damage, I saw with my own eyes. I saw a lot of damaged cars and saw how the mudslide travelled across the area and damaged houses and infrastructure. I saw that some of the houses were swept away by this mudslide. We are saddened about the loss of life and those who ended up in the hospital due to injuries sustained during the incident. I was at the hospital and I saw a couple of them who got injured, this is really sad," President Ramaphosa says.

Ramaphosa says over the 10 years the mine has changed ownership many times and even in 2021 the mine had new owners.

PHOTO: Lucky Nkuyane

Meanwhile, residents also had an opportunity to address the president on their plight. One of the residents and also a farmer, Mpoi Ntaitsane ,told Ramaphosa that the governent has failed the residents of Jagersfontein. She says for years they have aired their concerns about the issues of the mine but no one cared to listen to them.

"Our homes have been destroyed, our families are missing and we can't even locate them. But all the issues have been raised and you saw for yourselves the extent of damage. It's not just damaged property, there was aslo reckless endangerment of people. Our lives have been endangered," Ntaitsane says.

VIDEO: Lucky Nkuyane 

The mine in question, Jagersfontein Development Project (JDP), announced that it has since availed millions of rands to the affected parties.

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

The 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 these issues have been raised by the mayor, Xolani Tseletsele, even before he ascended to the position of mayor.

OFM News