Ramaphosa says Jagersfontein residents' houses will be rebuilt
President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured victims of a mine dam collapse in Jagersfontein in the Free State that their houses will be rebuilt.
Ramaphosa visited the disaster-stricken mining town on Monday.
Houses and cars were swept away by a strong stream of water and mud in the Kopanong local municipality after the mine dam burst on Sunday morning, leaving scores of residents homeless.
One person has been confirmed dead while more than 80 have been admitted to various hospitals in the province treated for hypothermia.
The president says the government's focus is to look after the affected people and everything that goes with creating and restoring their livelihoods.
Ramaphosa says the cause of the incident will be investigated.
"This mine has been changing hands of owners, some of you have already seen that this mine could cause an accident both the mine and the dams have been changing hands
last year it was bought by new people,” he said.
“These are the things we will be investigating - there will be an investigation to check exactly what happened; right now we want to concentrate on making sure that we look after our people from a livelihood point of view, a security point of view, an education point of view, a health point of view, a human settlement point of view, and everything that goes with creating and restoring the livelihood of the people who were affected by this."
He added: "And I know there are people who suffered from trauma, there will be counselling, our social workers will go through everyone and will be able to consult everybody who is been affected every household.”
“The department of human settlements and MECs are here to provide alternative accommodation,” says Ramaphosa.
The Minerals Council South Africa says the Jagersfontein assets are not currently owned by any of its members.
The council says the mine was shut in 1970.
"The Minerals Council has requested its members assess their tailings management practices in accordance with the standard to determine if these were aligned and to identify any possible gaps that needed to be addressed,” they say in a statement.
“The Minerals Council has reached out to the South African authorities to offer whatever practical support and assistance that the industry can provide regarding the Jagersfontein tragedy at this trying time."
