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

According to Premier Sisi Ntombela’s spokesperson, Palesa Chubisi, the decision to classify the area as such was taken on Monday 19 September 2022.

She says this decision was taken by the National Disaster Management Centre following vigorous consultations with the provincial government. 

ALSO READ: #JagersfonteinDisaster: Ntombela sends management teams

Chubisi says the decision was largely swayed by the magnitude and severity of the impact of the failure of the tailing storage facility wall which collapsed, causing a mudslide and flooding that resulted in the displacement of over 200 people, damage to infrastructure, injuries and a fatality.

On Friday 16 September 2022, the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy visited the affected areas, including Itumeleng and Charlesville.

ALSO READ: More investigations to follow after #JagersfonteinDisaster

The visit by the committee members, accompanied by Ntombela, comes after the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, President Cyril Ramaphosa and different provincial MECs - including Mxolisi Dukwana - also made a turn at the town.

Ramaphosa, on Monday 12 September, whilst addressing over 200 affected residents, mentioned that the disaster or mine will be thoroughly probed and taken to task.

"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," Ramaphosa said.

ALSO READ: Ramaphosa promises #JagersfonteinDisaster victims assistance - WATCH

Meanwhile, the only deceased, Aaron Moseou who died due to the disaster that left a trail of destruction, will on Saturday 24 September 2022 be laid to rest. Ntombela, flanked by Members of her Executive Council, will also join the mourners to bid farewell to Mosweu who lost his life when his home was swept away by the mudslide.

Chubisi reiterates that only two people are still unaccounted for and the search continue for them. 

ALSO READ: #JagersfonteinDisaster: 3 people missing, 1 suspected dead

“Emanating from the classification of this occurrence as a provincial disaster, the primary responsibility to coordinate and manage this disaster, in terms of existing legislation and contingency arrangements, are designated to the provincial executive.

"Premier Sisi Ntombela has welcomed the classification and has committed her government to strengthening support to existing structures, and ensuring that measures are put in place to rebuild the lives of the victims of the disaster,” she adds.

ALSO READ: #JagersfonteinDisaster affects learners

The total number of houses damaged or affected by the sludge is 164, with 51 affected in Charlesville and 113 in Itumeleng. 

Currently, 39 learners are accommodated in two hostels, 25 from Olien hostel and 14 from the Jagersfontein hostel. 

OFM News