Rebuilding lives and livelihoods in the aftermath of the collapse of a tailings dam at a diamond mine in Jagersfontein is anticipated to be a mammoth task.
The disaster that took place on Sunday (11/09) morning left more than 250 people vulnerable and some without a roof.
Much-needed relief is sought to aid the dire situation of the affected people after the tailings from the dam swept through Charlesville and parts of the Itumeleng residential area. Charlesville is just across from the mine dam and those living in this area are most affected.
Tailings can be described as waste material left over from mining processes, usually a mixture of liquid waste, chemicals, and tiny pieces of rock.
Jagersfontein Developments, the company that owns the mine, said on Monday it had made R20 million available to aid affected people. Those severely affected are temporarily accommodated at Glen College and a hotel in Bloemfontein.
Gift of the Givers responded promptly on Sunday, dispatching a rescue team and humanitarian aid.
Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa visited Jagersfontein on Monday to assess the impact of the disaster, which claimed three people and landed 82 in two hospitals – the Diamond Hospital in Jagersfontein and the Albert Nzula Hospital in Trompsburg. Among the injured was a pregnant woman, and four people who sustained fractures.
Accompanied by Sisi Ntombela, Free State premier, various government departments officials and Ramaphosa assured victims that the government would assist to rebuild lives and livelihoods.
Following this announcement, a meeting was held with affected families at Glen College.
The Jagersfontein disaster is the second of its kind following the Merriespruit tailings dam disaster in Virginia on 22 February 1994. About 17 people were killed in the previous event.
The incident mostly affected people whose houses were approximately 300 m from the dam in Virginia.
