Mudslide's Forgotten Victims

Residents, farmers recount shattered lives as firm rejects claims.

- Masoka Dube

Three years on, people who lost property and movable assets when a mine tailings dam collapsed in Jagersfontein, Free State, claim that they have not received compensation.

They were affected by the collapse of the Jagersfontein Development Mine's tailings dam in September 2022.

The sludge of waste material from the dam swamped the nearby community, destroying houses, businesses and cars, leaving three people and numerous head of livestock dead.

Soon after the incident, the mining firm said R150 million was set aside to compensate those affected. But some residents alleged their claims were rejected without any valid reason.

Lefa Shale claims the mine has refused to compensate him after he lost livestock worth more than R70,000.

According to a document seen by The Citizen, Shale is one of 43 livestock farmers claiming that they did not receive compensation for their losses.