The death toll has now increased to two. 

Free State Emergency Medical Serices (EMS) spokesperson, Sipho Towa, confirms to OFM News that its team on Friday recovered the body of a man from the town. This follows after houses, cars and infrastructure were demolished by mudslides on Sunday 11 September 2022 after a mine dam’a wall collapsed.

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

Towa says a male body was recovered earlier on Friday 30 September 2022, about 15km from Jagersfontein on a riverbank at a farm. The discovery follows an intensive search by the EMS personnel, among others.

This now means that one last person is still missing. The 11 September 2022 disaster left scores injured and over 200 people destitute or homeless.

Many of them were housed in different shelters in Bloemfontein, Jagersfontein and Fauresmith outside the town.

Following this tragic disaster, which damaged infrastructure valued at millions, premier Sisi Ntombela assembled officials from the Emergency Medical Services College to assist with the rescue mission and help search.

ALSO READ - #JagersfonteinDisaster: Ntombela sends management teams

Ntombela spokesperson, Palesa Chubisi, announced that the province deployed the disaster management team and the Joint Operation Centre.  The teams were set to determine the extent of the damage and also carry out evacuations where necessary.  

The Jagersfontein Development Project (JDP) has responded to allegations of another dam wall collapsing at its mine on Tuesday night, 27 September 2022.

According to the Jagersfontein Development Project (JDP) mine's legal compliance officer, Marius de Villiers, “there has been no further breach of any kind at the facility” following the Sunday 11 September 2022 disaster.

On Tuesday night, there were several social media reports alleging that another dam wall at the mine has collapsed, days after being declared a disaster area.

ALSO READ - #JagersfonteinDisaster: Mine responds to alleged second incident

The mine has, however, availed R20 million to help and assist affected residents.

According to the mine spokesperson, Leigh Ann Carey, the money has been made available with immediate effect. "JDP 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: JagersfonteinDisaster: Mine responds-to-alleged-second-incident

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.

ALSO READ: #JagersfonteinDisaster: Residents rebuilding lives - WATCH

A community leader, Lefa Shale, 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.

ALSO READ: #JagersfonteinDisaster: Residents rope in big time lawyers

However the provincial government led by Premier Ntombela has since promised R24 million to rebuild the houses of residents affected by the disaster.

OFM News