Central SA
Free State Premier to meet Jagersfontein mine boss─── LUCKY NKUYANE 10:36 Mon, 17 Oct 2022
The Free State Premier is set to meet with the Jagersfontein Development Projects (JDP) Mine this week.
The planned meeting between Premier Sisi Ntombela and the mine boss comes hot on the heels of a slew of allegations from residents and business people in that area about the conduct of the mine.
ALSO READ: Jagersfontein residents demand answers from mine
On 11 September 2022, the mine's wall collapsed and tons of mud were released, which killed two people, and left houses, cars, and infrastructure damaged. Over 200 people were left destitute.
ALSO READ: Houses, cars swept away by strong stream of water in Free State town | WATCH
OFM News previously reported that workers of the JDP Mine have been receiving several text messages from the mine management, perceived as being threatening.
ALSO READ: Mine tells workers 'no work, no pay', despite being declared a disaster area
According to premier Ntombela’s spokesperson, Palesa Chubisi, if there are allegations of clandestine operations, then such must be reported. “The pending meeting with the mine owners is scheduled for next week and this will be raised too. The current official position is that the company has been given various directives by both DWS and Environmental Affairs. They have to conduct remedial work on the dam wall and rehabilitate the affected environment. The directive also included cessation of operations until directed otherwise,” Chubisi adds.
According to an anonymous source, the mine has allegedly been threatening 200 workers to report for duty, despite the area being declared a disaster area by the National Disaster Management Centre after vigorous consultations with the provincial government. “How can we work if there is no work? Our contracts said no work no pay. But we feel this is a disaster, we cannot get the blame for that,” the source says.
The text message the anonymous source showed OFM News, reads: "Dear employee, as communicated to you, your union officials, shop stewards and employees representatives on various occasions. Your failure to return to work will be handled on a no-work no pay basis. The company reserves all of its rights."
