Residents of Jagersfontein in the Southern Free State still struggle to find closure a year after disaster struck the small mining town.

Community leader Lefa Shale said there is still disappointment and frustration toward the Free State Provincial Government and the Jagersfontein Development project mine. 

Residents observed the first anniversary of the disaster when tons of sludge claimed lives, left 200 people homeless or destitute, and destroyed 100 houses on 11 September 2022.

Shale said an elderly woman who went missing during the incident has not been found. This has left a bitter taste in Jagersfontein and the family of the missing woman, Mantele Mokhali.

He has also criticised the government for its alleged slow progress in helping residents rebuild their lives following the disaster.

ActionSA Free State spokesperson, Nomawethu Sbukwana, said the party has written to the South African Human Rights Commission to request an update on the complaint lodged on 29 September 2022 asking the commission to launch an urgent investigation into alleged human rights violations by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the Jagersfontein Development (Pty) Ltd and Kopanong Municipality.

“Three hundred and sixty-five days later, over 103 people are still displaced, with no alternative accommodation. Numerous government leaders have visited the town, the latest being Deputy President, Paul Mashatile. Their visits did nothing to expedite the construction of damaged houses.

"Jagersfontein Development (Pty) Ltd is a clear indication (sic) they don’t take seriously the plight faced by the displaced residents. Charlesville residents are left to inhale polluted air and use contaminated water. The municipality has dispatched Jojo tanks that are often without water. 

“The delay in finalising this investigation is a violation on its own and that is the reason why ActionSA advocates for capable, streamlined, and politically independent state institutions that deliver high-quality and timely services to the residents as resolved by our policy conference last week.”

In November 2022, Emergency Medical Services spokersperson Sipho Towa told OFM News search operations for the missing victim were stopped due to heavy mud posing a high risk for rescuers.

OFM News previously reported that the Mine’s Stakeholder Relations Officer and Spokesperson, Billy Bilankula, told journalists in Jagersfontein on 9 May it would take about six months to complete the rebuilding and refurbishment of destroyed houses.

He said 65 houses will be built and 78 will be refurbished, following the disaster that destroyed over 100 houses and left more than 200 people displaced.

Bilankula said the delay in the rebuilding and refurbishment of the houses was because of ongoing discussions between residents, the government, and the management of the mine. Some residents decided to take legal action against the mine using private lawyers, others formed a committee to take care of their issues.

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane