The dam break occurred around 06:00 on Sunday, September 11, 2022.
READ ALSO: Houses, cars swept away by a strong current of water in the city of Free State | LOOK
MEC Tate Makgoe says on his Twitter account that the department’s preliminary report so far indicates that no educational institution has been affected.
However, he indicates that a challenge could be that of generalized access to the different schools.
ALSO READ: FS MEC on high alert after #JagersfonteinFlood
Kopanong local municipality spokesman Solomzi Phama told OFM News that the main power station supplying the entire area with electricity was damaged by flooding following the burst of a mining dam. Phama also said more than 100 homes were affected.
READ ALSO: #JagersfonteinFlood: 3 people missing, 1 presumed dead
“Please advise motorists not to use the R706 road between Bloemfontein and Jagersfontein, but [that they should] use the route from Petrusburg to Koffiefontein, Fauresmith and Jagersfontein instead,” Phama added.
OFM News previously reported that Free State Prime Minister Sisi Ntombela has activated a Disaster Management Team and Joint Operations Center in Jagersfontein.
ALSO READ: Ntombela sends disaster management teams to Jagersfontein
Ntombela spokesman Palesa Chubisi said teams sent to Jagersfontein will determine the extent of the disaster and also carry out evacuation processes if necessary.
Chubisi said 20 people were taken to Diamant Hospital in Jagersfontein with minor injuries, and four are on their way to Albert Nzula Hospital in Trompsburg. She says no deaths have yet been reported.
In addition, the MEC of the Ministry of Social Development, Mamiki Qabathe, said he learned with sadness of the collapse of a mining dam in Jagersfontein which led to the flooding of the area.
“We also heard that some of the houses and cars were swept away while others collapsed leading to some community members escaping with only the clothes on their backs,” Qabathe adds.
It has, with immediate effect, dispatched its team of social workers and community development practitioners to assess the impact of the flooding, as well as assist in the evacuation of those affected to safe areas.
Qabathe further adds that the department’s social partners, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), the Red Cross and Meals on Wheels have also been activated and are already on the ground carrying out assessments to ensure that interventions are immediately put in place and that they need help. is provided to data subjects.
OFM News
