Minister Mantashe cut short his trip to meet with Jagersfontein mine owners

Mineral resource and energy minister Gwede Mantashe has cut short a trip to South Sudan to attend to the ‘Jagersfontein tragedy’ as on Monday, September 12 he announced that mine management should take full responsibility for the damage.

At least one person has died, while many people sustained injuries after their properties submerged following a burst dam that flooded a small township of Jagersfontein on Sunday.

Mantashe, who is currently on his way to the overwhelmed township, has reiterated that warnings about the Jagersfontein mine waste water dam’s weaknesses were sounded at least two years ago but were ignored, and this forced his hand to visit the area and probe the management.

Civil engineering and mining experts believe that the Jagersfontein mine dam wall burst on Sunday morning could have been prevented. 

In a statement released yesterday, mineral resources and energy department confirmed that Mantashe and his deputy Nobuhle Nkabane will to start their visit in Bloemfontein, where they will meet with people affected by the disaster caused by a burst in the tailings dam.

“Mantashe and Nkabane will then move to Jagersfontein, where they will meet with management of Jagersfontein Developments, the mining company which operates the dam,” read a statement.

Meanwhile, Jagersfontein Developments has set aside R20 million for affected people on the ground and the restoration of the town.

Mantashe’s visit comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa descended to the area yesterday to assess the extent of the damage and to meet with affected residents and stakeholders.

Ramaphosa assured residents that government will accelerate efforts to rebuild houses for the affected victims.