ALSO READ - #BreakingNews: #JagersfonteinDisaster’s death toll increases

Three people went missing following the disaster on 11 September 2022 when the mine dam wall collapsed, releasing tons of sludge which killed two people and displaced over 200.

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

The provincial spokesperson of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Sipho Towa, tells OFM News that search operations stood down due to heavy mud posing a high risk for rescuers, with the possibility of getting trapped or cut. Towa says it became difficult to search within the river due to mud on the bottom of the river and poor visibility.

ALSO READ: Search and recovery continue for last missing person at Jagersfontein

“Teams will remain on alert to respond to any hints or changes in circumstances. The farmers and community are urged to continue monitoring their areas and share information about discoveries with emergency services. The team initially carried out drone searches, thermal searches (technology), river bank searches up to 15 km downstream, mud searches, and aerial searches,” Towa adds.

The body of the first victim was found on the same night of the incident whilst the body of the second victim was discovered more than 10 kilometres away on Friday 30 September 2022 by a passer-by who then alerted officials.  

Community leader Lefa Shale on Friday told OFM News that the search for the last victim has ended long ago. 

“Our main concern is that we are still looking for one body. The reason we stopped was that officials had promised to carry on with the search. However, up until now nothing is happening. If it was true, we would have seen many teams searching, going up and down, but it’s disappointing,” Shale adds.

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 search.

ALSO READ - #JagersfonteinDisaster: Ntombela sends management teams

On Friday 4 November 2022, the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, opened a criminal case against the Jagersfontein Development Project (JDP) mine.

ALSO READ: Criminal case opened against JDP mine – WATCH

Minister Mahlobo and his department are in possession of a report allegedly implicating the mine in the pollution of river streams. After opening a case against the mine at the Jagersfontein Police Station Mahlobo said the department received a report that the JDP mine operation had a huge impact on water resources during the commencement of the operation.

Mahlobo said the department gave authorisation to the mine previously to use the water systems in a required manner.

OFM News