The Head of Communications in the department, Lindiwe Mnguni, says residents who had been moved to alternative accommodation in Bloemfontein after the tragedy hit, have successfully returned home. She says houses that were not terribly damaged and just needed to be cleaned are ready for their owners to move in after various community members and organisations took the initiative to assist with gathering what was left and rebuilding lives.

She adds that all residents who were in Bloemfontein have moved back to Jagersfontein. Others moved back to their original homes after they have been cleaned, and others have been provided with temporary accommodation close to their hometown for convenience.

“People who were housed at the Sand Stone Hotel and President Hotel left on Saturday to go back to Jagersfontein. The reason they went back home is that similarly with any other trauma, the sooner you are integrated into your community, the sooner your healing also starts”.

Mnguni says the residents and the department are grateful to everyone who offered support, with items that were tangible, or even just with prayer. She urges the society to keep remembering Jagersfontein residents and reach out whenever possible.

OFM News previously reported that students from the University of the Free State (UFS) will be visiting Jagersfontein for the second time on Friday 14 October 2022. They say they will be using their hands to make a difference while appealing to the public to assist with other resources. This is according to the university’s Student Representative Council (SRC) member overseeing Civic and Social Responsibility matters, Junior Sijane.  

ALSO READ: Students assisting Jagersfontein victims

He says 60 students from the university went to Jagersfontein on Thursday to assist with cleaning. He adds that they started asking for donations a few days after the disaster while planning to use the recess period for support to Jagersfontein residents.

OFM News/Mpho Mohapi