Speaking to OFM News, a community leader of the Itumeleng Location, Lefa Shale, says for years the Jagersfontein Development Project (JDP), whose mine dam collapsed on Sunday, neglected its mandatory community development programme. He says residents were left to struggle whilst the mine thrived. Shale alleges that some politicians with a particular interest in the operation of the mine, have aided the mine to thrive whilst residents were left to live in squalor conditions.

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“We, as the community, expect something from the mine but nothing was ever given to the community and Jagersfontein is as you see it. This community is (angry) to the extent that they wanted to meet with the manager of the mine. Unfortunately, we never met or saw them since this disaster took place. We are really disappointed and angry but don’t know what will happen going forward because now we don’t even have electricity, we don’t have anything,” he says.

These residents and the Kopanong Local Municipality's spokesperson, Solomzi Phama, mentioned that there was negligence which led to the disaster. Phama told OFM News that negligence was something that has been raised by the mayor, Xolani Tseletsele, even before he ascended to the position of mayor.

#JagersfonteinDisaster: Alleged negligence led to collapse of dam – WATCH

One the affected farmers and many other residents said the government has failed them. Mpoi Ntaitsane said 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 the damage. It's not just damaged property, there was also reckless endangerment of people. Our lives have been endangered," Ntaitsane said.

Over 200 people have been affected and have since been taken to Fauresmith, a few kilometres from Jagersfontein.

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

"It is cooperating with the law enforcement authorities and will offer every assistance to the community while undertaking a full investigation. We have confirmation that the waste water is not hazardous. Jargesfontein Development remains committed to the well-being of the community and will lead clean-up operations," Carey added.

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According to the Free State Provincial Emergency Medical Services (EMS) spokesperson, Sipho Towa, search and rescue teams comprising of police, among others, have since found an elderly woman who was reported missing.

She was well and alive with relatives at a nearby farm in Jagersfontein. So far only one person has been confirmed to have passed on following the Sunday morning mudslide disaster. His family is said to have positively identified him on Monday.

Towa adds that on Sunday the search and rescue team initially searched for four missing people and three were found on Sunday. The team is currently searching for one missing person.

On Monday, whilst visiting the area for oversight purposes, President Cyril Ramaphosa promised to help residents of Jagersfontein, who were left homeless or destitute, to rebuild their lives.

Whilst 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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Different humanitarian organisations, including South Africa’s Gift of the Givers and an international aid, the Red Cross, also lend help to aid those in need. Ramaphosa also thanked them for their help.

OFM News has sent an inquiry to the mine's management regarding the community’s claims.

OFM News