Community leader Lefa Shale tells OFM News that residents have been left shocked by the latest discovery. The discovery is, however, not related to the Sunday 11 September disaster, when houses and infrastructure were left demolished by tons of sludge released from the mine as a result of a collapsed mine wall.

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According to the police spokesperson, Mahlomola Kareli, the police were alerted to a scene where the 62-year-old victim was found at around 11:00. He says members of Jagersfontein Crime Prevention were busy with crime prevention duties when one community member stopped their vehicle indicating a body in the water. Kareli says members went to the scene between Charlesville and Itumeleng where the body was found. The emergency services were called to the scene and the victim was declared deceased.

The police have since opened an inquest and investigations will be guided by the availability of post-mortem results. Two people died in the mine disaster, one is still missing, scores were left injured, over 200 people were displaced and over 100 homes were destroyed.

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The authorities are still searching for the last person reported missing after the incident.

During a media briefing at the OR Tambo House, Premier Sisi Ntombela reiterated the provincial government’s efforts to find the remaining missing woman.

ALSO READ: Government working overtime to find last missing person at Jagersfontein

Ntombela also reiterated the government’s commitment towards rebuilding and restoring the dignity of the Jagersfontein victims, whose homes were destroyed by the mudslide.

OFM News