This, as effects of September’s mine dam flood disaster continue to weigh heavily on the Free State’s Kopanong Local Municipality.

On Sunday 11 September 2022, the dam wall collapsed, releasing tons of sludge which killed two people, left one missing, injured scores and displaced over 200 people.

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

The Free State municipality, which is still grappling with the disastrous effects of the flood, says it appears that there is a high concentration of sludge at the Kalkfontein Dam, and as such residents of Jagersfontein and Fauresmith would be affected by this.

However, the newly appointed Acting Municipal Manager of the municipality, Zolile Lobe, says they wish to put it on record that there is nothing wrong with the quality of water.

Lobe says the pumping of water at their pumping station ceased after the sludge was identified at Kalkfontein on Saturday.

He says the municipality - before the discovery of the sludge at the dam - had already pumped enough water to their reservoir.

Lobe adds that service provider Bloem Water is constantly running tests to check the quality of water provided to the community, and that there is no reason to panic as the quality of water is not compromised.

"Pursuant to an earlier communication that the municipality issued with regard to the colour of the water, we want to state the matter clearly that there is absolutely no problem with the quality of water supplied to both Jagersfontein and Fauresmith, as it comes from the Kalkfontein Dam.

“The constant rainfall that was experienced in our area, much as it is really appreciated, could have played a role in impacting the colour of the water, but the municipality and Bloem Water gives a commitment that the water quality is not compromised.

“The latest tests done on the quality of water provided in the area was on 10 November 2022, and Bloem Water can confirm with certainty that the quality of water is up to acceptable standards. We take this opportunity to encourage the community to look after their health and we encourage responsible use of water, as it’s a scarce and precious resource."

OFM News previously reported that the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, accompanied by Mayor Xolani Tseletsele and others, opened a criminal case regarding water pollution against the local mine earlier this month.

ALSO READ: Criminal case opened against JDP mine - WATCH

"We have the responsibility as a government to act when an owner of a facility like this failed to take certain actions. Today, on the basis of that, we have completed our own assessment, we're now opening a case on the basis of the National Water Act," Mahlobo said.

Earlier, the Free State Office of Water and Sanitation's spokesperson, Larry Crisp, said a forensic report is being done to determine the extent of pollution.

Following the disaster, the town has had to deal with two more unnatural, unrelated deaths.

A child was killed by a mine truck on 27 October 2022. The incident came a few days after a 62-year-old elderly man was found dead in a pool of water between Charlesville and Itumeleng, known as Skoti. He went missing on the previous Friday and was found on Saturday 22 October 2022.

OFM News previously reported that the search for a missing woman in Jagersfontein following the mine dam disaster has been called off.

The provincial spokesperson of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Sipho Towa, told OFM News that search operations stood down due to heavy mud posing a high risk for rescuers, with the possibility of getting trapped or injured.

Towa says it became difficult to search in the river due to mud on the bottom of the river and poor visibility.

ALSO READ: Search for missing Jagersfontein disaster victim called off

“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, riverbank 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 kilometers away on Friday 30 September 2022 by a passer-by who then alerted officials. 

OFM News