According to the general manager, Neelofar Issa, they were pumping water with a sump pump to remove water that has accumulated in the basin, when a municipal pipe burst near the Total garage. The volume of water coming from both the sump pump and burst pipe caused a blockage in the stormwater drain pipe which led to water flooding Nelson Mandela Drive. Issa said the matter was reported immediately and resolved quickly with no trade being disrupted.

Bloemfontein Courant reported that clean-up operations in Mimosa Mall continued at Checkers and Game and that tenants in these areas were expected to be trading by this weekend. Issa says the majority of Mimosa Mall is operational and they welcome shoppers for festive season shopping.

This comes after a fire started in the Checkers storeroom during lunchtime on Friday 8 December.

Tenants and customers had to evacuate quickly to prevent any serious injuries and it was done swiftly and safely. Nelson Mandela Drive was closed for the safety of passing motorists.

Three men were admitted to hospital due to smoke inhalation. Two of the men have already been discharged, while the other man has been moved from ICU to a normal ward.

Trading in most areas of Mimosa Mall commenced on Tuesday 12 December. According to Issa, the public is advised that the parking entrance at Nelson Mandela Drive will not be accessible until further notice.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Click here for more OFM News/Jeretha Oosthuizen and Justine Fortuin