According to a community leader, Lefa Shale, despite the slow pace, residents are hopeful that all will one day fall back into place and they will know how to carry on with their lives after the disaster. He says they are confident but remain worried that so far there is nothing tangible of the promises from the national and provincial governments.

Shale says they hope that the water and electricity issues will be fixed soon to allow residents to live normal lives. 

On Sunday 11 September 2022, the mine's dam wall burst, releasing tons and tons of silt or mud which left a trail of destruction, leaving one person dead, two missing, scores injured and over 200 destitute or homeless.

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"Now this community is angry to a point whereby they intend to stop everything - meaning the vehicles from Bloemfontein to Jagersfontein - to show that they are fed up with empty promises by our authorities. Now, as I am speaking, there is no electricity in Charlesville, we are using candles, Paraffin and the cost of living has now gone high," he adds.

Currently, residents are using the Jojo Tanks filled up by the Free State water board, Bloem Water. It's also understood that the Jagersfontein Development Project (JDP) mine has availed a generator to supply scores of residents from Charlesville with electricity.

However, another resident, who was affected by the mudslide which destroyed most of the houses and cars around the area, says for days now she has been on a mission to rebuild her life. Lindiwe Buta says every day she cleans up her house taking out the mud but for now, it has been an uphill battle because there isn't any help being offered from anywhere. She adds she feels unbounded whilst trying to fix her life, with little progress.

"From all the promises we have received, there is no progress. We are now and then given food parcels of cabbage, rice and two tins of tuna. That cabbage was rotten. A pack of potatoes were almost rotten too," Buta adds.

Earlier, the Office of the Premier, Sisi Ntombela, provided an update on Jagersfontein.

"The Department of Social Development has established three profiling teams. A total of 187 households were profiled and it was established that some community members lost all their belongings in their houses (Sandstone accommodates 57 people; the President Hotel accommodates 18, and Jagersfontein accommodates 112). Others were partially affected, whilst others left the town for safety. A temporary food and clothing bank has been established and is still in full operation, receiving donations from the different sectors of society on a daily basis. The humanitarian organisations and social partners continue to provide hot meals and bottled water daily,"

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In the update about how the government is helping residents rebuild their lives following the disaster in that area, she also mentioned that "a directive in terms of section 20 of the National Water Act was issued to JDP, instructing the company to immediately install a pumping mechanism to reduce the volume of silt in compartment two of the Fine Tailings Storage Facility, to prevent a secondary breach incident.

The silt was to be pumped into the historical pit at Jagersfontein without compromising the structural stability of the pit. The progress is that the pumping is continuing at a very slow rate to avoid causing problems at the dam and the pit. JDP was instructed to immediately cease all operations relating to mineral processing of the tailings and disposal of water containing waste, coarse tailings, and any other materials. The operations have stopped, and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is monitoring the situation.

"JDP was requested to submit a detailed incident report with full details of the cause of the incident, extent of the damage or impact, and relevant water quality status reports of all affected water resources."

Chubisi also mentioned that the area has been declared a provincial disaster area following consultation between the National Disaster Management Centre and the provincial government.

ALSO READ: #Jagersfontein declared disaster area

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

OFM News previously reported that frustrated residents of Jagersfontein in the Kopanong Local Municipality in the Free State have discussed intentions with so-called big-time Bloemfontein lawyers to sue the JDP following the disaster. Shale, a community leader, said on Thursday 14 September 2022 that some of the residents met with several lawyers to discuss and map the way forward in suing the mine in question.

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Kopanong Local Municipality spokesperson, Solomzi Phama, told OFM News they can confirm, without fear or 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 - #JagersfonteinDisaster: Alleged negligence led to collapse of dam - WATCH

The mine has, however, availed R20 million to help and assist affected residents. 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. Jagersfontein Development remains committed to the well-being of the community and will lead clean-up operations," Carey added.

ALSO READ: Millions made available to #JagersfonteinDisaster victims

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane & Kekeletso Mosebetsi