Premier Sisi Ntombela, flanked by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Mxolisi Dukwana, the mayor of the Trompsburg-based Kopanong Local Municipality, Xolani Tseletsele, from the mine's stakeholder relations, Billy Bilankulu, and the mine's board chairperson, Nadim Makki, all reaffirmed their commitments towards rebuilding the town.

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According to Cogta, residents will know if their houses will be built in the very same area or not once a geotechnical report, which speaks to the safety and habitability is issued. 

The Cogta Head of the Department (HOD), Tshepiso Ramakarane, says the government has a statutory obligation to restore infrastructure that was affected and has since confirmed that they will be working together with the mine. It’s understood that residents were set to receive some of the first built houses in December 2022 but it’s also further understood that residents rejected at least 40 houses measuring 40 square meters in Itumeleng, also known as “Skoti”.

“There are these geotechnical reports that are being done in terms of whether, when construction happens, whether the foundation will be okay and stuff like that. So those reports are still also outstanding. So your three months or five months - you must count them from day one, when the green light was given that construction can take place at those places. Secondly, will it be safe for everyone to go there. 

"The issue of government vis-à-vis the mine, the mine owners have confirmed to you today that indeed they are committed to restore [Jagersfontein]."

"Government has a statutory obligation to restore infrastructure that has been affected but if there is this commitment from the mine, obviously we will work together - reimagine, replan, and restore,” Ramakarane adds.

Mr Tshepiso Ngubeni, a victim of the Jagersfontein Disaster.

One of the victims, Tshepiso Ngubeni, also present at the media briefing, challenged the mine to state clearly whether those houses in different shelters in Jagersfontein will continue to receive financial support from the mine.

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"Can the mine [clearly state], for those people who are presently and temporarily accommodated in other people's homes, how long are they going to pay for them whilst they are there because there was an issue yesterday that the people at a certain place in Jagersfontein were being evicted. We need clarification on that,” Ngubeni adds.

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

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According to the former 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 further have confirmation that the waste water is not hazardous. JDP remains committed to the well-being of the community and will lead clean-up operations," Carey added.

At today’s media briefing, Makki announced that the first R20 million dispatched by the mine was actually to help the efforts of the government in helping affected residents.

He says it was spent on food parcels, housing, and medical bills, amongst others.

"We are going to continue spending from the mine. Yes, we are committed to rebuilding the houses and fixing whatever has been damaged,” Makki adds. 

Premier Ntombela said she was pleased that the mine was committed to taking responsibility.

OFM News