The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the Department of Cooperative Governance have noted with sadness the incident that took place in the Free State Province, Jagersfontein, Kopanong Local Municipality (Xhariep District Municipality), around 6am on Sunday, 11, September 2022.
The tailings of the abandoned local mine burst open leading to damages to infrastructure, personal property and homes. The untold damages in and around the community of Charlesville in Jagersfontein are extensive and have negatively impacted the community.
Some people are displaced, others lost property, whilst others are reported injured and missing.
Multi-disciplinary teams consisting of the South African Police Service, emergency medical services, health, disaster management, social development, search and rescue personnel and engineers from the mine responded immediately and are on the scene where search, rescue, immediate relief and stabilization operations are underway. The reports received thus far are that the flow of the water has ceased and the immediate threat is being stabilized. The injured persons have been provided with on-scene emergency medical care and are being transported to local hospitals. Assessments are underway to identify & account for all residents of the affected area.
The National Disaster Management Centre is coordinating with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) and other stakeholders to ensure that assistance needed is provided where required. The NDMC has deployed staff members to the affected area to assess the damage and impact and to provide direct operational support. The Minister urges the deployed teams to do everything required to lessen the negative impact the incident has on communities.
The Minister expressed appreciation for the role played by the Provincial leadership led by the Premier, in providing support and assistance to the affected communities. Minister also urged communities to remain calm and urged those unaffected people in Jagersfontein who are able to lend a hand to those negatively affected by the incident to do so.
The media and the community will be regularly apprised of the latest developments on the ground.
Enquiries:
Lungi Mtshali
Cell: 082 088 5060
