In November 2022, one of the victims affected by the floods, Tshepiso Ngubeni, told OFM News that residents are frustrated because they expected that the construction of houses in Charlesville would have commenced at the time. 

Other victims who have been affected by the mudslide and wish to remain anonymous claimed that the provincial government, together with the mayor of troubled Kopanong Local Municipality, have not kept their promise to assist residents in rebuilding their homes which were swept away by the mudslide. They allege they have been in contact with representatives of the mine and they were informed that the mine is ready to build them new houses. However, the mine is waiting for the report from the provincial government.  

One of the victims said they are worried that they won’t get the houses they were promised in future as the municipality is planning to build houses on the vacant land in Jagersfontein and sell those houses to miners.

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The spokesperson of the Kopanong Local Municipality, Solomzi Phama, disputed these allegations and explained that the Mayor of Kopanong has had several follow-up meetings with victims who have been affected by the mudslide. He said the mayor even met with affected residents on Wednesday to give them feedback on the progress that has been made in rebuilding their homes. 

Phama further revealed that houses have already been built for victims who do not have legal representation. He added that the mayor will meet with the representatives of the Department of Human Settlements next week Tuesday to rebuild the houses of victims who remain homeless.

OFM News