President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit Jagersfontein following a mine burst on Sunday which has displaced over 200 families.
Temporary shelters have been provided as several homes were destroyed by the overwhelming sludge. Ramaphosa sent condolences to the families of victims of the Jagersfontein tragedy. At least three people were killed and there are concerns there may be more.
Ramaphosa also expressed appreciation to emergency responders deployed for rescue operations. Meanwhile, Eskom is hoping to return electricity supply to Jagersfontein by Tuesday. Mud from the collapsed dam washed the substation completely away.
Eskom Free State spokesperson Reggie Moleko said, “this morning after the retainer wall broke and the mud started gushing down we lost our substation completely washed away we have lots supply to the pump point next to the township we have lost supply to sewage pump these two points have been completely washed out.”
“Those two lines we would use them to supply pump points… mine supply is back but the townships and the town don’t have for now pans are in place maybe by Tuesday morning. They are running repairs like it hasn’t happened before. Disaster managements plans are activated.”