All Article Properties:
{
"access_control": false,
"status": "publish",
"objectType": "Article",
"id": "1394462",
"signature": "Article:1394462",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-13-owners-of-free-state-diamond-mine-were-warned-to-cease-operations-two-years-ago/",
"shorturl": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/article/1394462",
"slug": "owners-of-free-state-diamond-mine-were-warned-to-cease-operations-two-years-ago",
"contentType": {
"id": "1",
"name": "Article",
"slug": "article"
},
"views": 0,
"comments": 5,
"preview_limit": null,
"excludedFromGoogleSearchEngine": 0,
"title": "Owners of Free State diamond mine ‘were warned to cease operations two years ago’",
"firstPublished": "2022-09-13 00:14:04",
"lastUpdate": "2022-12-22 07:35:56",
"categories": [
{
"id": "9",
"name": "Business Maverick",
"signature": "Category:9",
"slug": "business-maverick",
"typeId": {
"typeId": "1",
"name": "Daily Maverick",
"slug": "",
"includeInIssue": "0",
"shortened_domain": "",
"stylesheetClass": "",
"domain": "staging.dailymaverick.co.za",
"articleUrlPrefix": "",
"access_groups": "[]",
"locale": "",
"preview_limit": null
},
"parentId": null,
"parent": [],
"image": "",
"cover": "",
"logo": "",
"paid": "0",
"objectType": "Category",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/category/business-maverick/",
"cssCode": "",
"template": "default",
"tagline": "",
"link_param": null,
"description": "",
"metaDescription": "",
"order": "0",
"pageId": null,
"articlesCount": null,
"allowComments": "1",
"accessType": "freecount",
"status": "1",
"children": [],
"cached": true
},
{
"id": "29",
"name": "South Africa",
"signature": "Category:29",
"slug": "south-africa",
"typeId": {
"typeId": "1",
"name": "Daily Maverick",
"slug": "",
"includeInIssue": "0",
"shortened_domain": "",
"stylesheetClass": "",
"domain": "staging.dailymaverick.co.za",
"articleUrlPrefix": "",
"access_groups": "[]",
"locale": "",
"preview_limit": null
},
"parentId": null,
"parent": [],
"image": "",
"cover": "",
"logo": "",
"paid": "0",
"objectType": "Category",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/category/south-africa/",
"cssCode": "",
"template": "default",
"tagline": "",
"link_param": null,
"description": "Daily Maverick is an independent online news publication and weekly print newspaper in South Africa.\r\n\r\nIt is known for breaking some of the defining stories of South Africa in the past decade, including the Marikana Massacre, in which the South African Police Service killed 34 miners in August 2012.\r\n\r\nIt also investigated the Gupta Leaks, which won the 2019 Global Shining Light Award.\r\n\r\nThat investigation was credited with exposing the Indian-born Gupta family and former President Jacob Zuma for their role in the systemic political corruption referred to as state capture.\r\n\r\nIn 2018, co-founder and editor-in-chief Branislav ‘Branko’ Brkic was awarded the country’s prestigious Nat Nakasa Award, recognised for initiating the investigative collaboration after receiving the hard drive that included the email tranche.\r\n\r\nIn 2021, co-founder and CEO Styli Charalambous also received the award.\r\n\r\nDaily Maverick covers the latest political and news developments in South Africa with breaking news updates, analysis, opinions and more.",
"metaDescription": "",
"order": "0",
"pageId": null,
"articlesCount": null,
"allowComments": "1",
"accessType": "freecount",
"status": "1",
"children": [],
"cached": true
},
{
"id": "178318",
"name": "Our Burning Planet",
"signature": "Category:178318",
"slug": "our-burning-planet",
"typeId": {
"typeId": "1",
"name": "Daily Maverick",
"slug": "",
"includeInIssue": "0",
"shortened_domain": "",
"stylesheetClass": "",
"domain": "staging.dailymaverick.co.za",
"articleUrlPrefix": "",
"access_groups": "[]",
"locale": "",
"preview_limit": null
},
"parentId": null,
"parent": [],
"image": "",
"cover": "",
"logo": "",
"paid": "0",
"objectType": "Category",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/category/our-burning-planet/",
"cssCode": "",
"template": "default",
"tagline": "",
"link_param": null,
"description": "",
"metaDescription": "",
"order": "0",
"pageId": null,
"articlesCount": null,
"allowComments": "1",
"accessType": "freecount",
"status": "1",
"children": [],
"cached": true
}
],
"content_length": 6165,
"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A director-general in the Free State Office of the Premier, Kopung Ralikontsane, says the disaster at the Jagersfontein diamond mine could have been averted had the owners of the tailings dam that collapsed heeded instructions from the government to cease operations two years ago.</span><b> </b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The company, however, maintains that it is operating legally and is compliant, having undergone independent inspections. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A tailings dam wall at the mine collapsed on Sunday, causing a mudslide and flooding in nearby residential areas, which killed at least one person (initially it was </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-12-free-state-mine-dam-burst-floods-kill-three-four-people-critically-injured/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">incorrectly announced by authorities </span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that three people had died), and displaced more than 200. On Monday, a number of people were still missing, and search and rescue operations continued.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minerals and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe declared the mudslide a disaster. He was expected to visit the area on Tuesday.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Director-General Ralikontsane confirmed that an alarm on potential dangers had been raised more than two years ago. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“As the province, we find ourselves in a difficult situation as the mine owners were warned to stabilise their wall or cease operation through warning certificates. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“There are ongoing engagements with the mine owners,” he said. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The executive mayor of Kopanong, Xolani Tseletsele, had already, in February 2021, warned on social media of potential threats that the mine posed to the nearby community. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The company that owns the tailings dam, Jagersfontein Developments, on Monday issued a statement saying it was devastated by the breach at its dam and the impacts on the local community, and had set aside millions of rands to help the affected communities. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We have made R20-million available immediately for affected people on the ground and the restoration of the town. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the single fatality. The treatment facility has stabilised activity at the dam. [The company] is cooperating with local authorities and will offer every assistance to the community while undertaking a full investigation.” </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The floodwater was feared to contain toxins, but the company said: “We have confirmation that the wastewater is not hazardous. Jagersfontein Developments remains committed to the wellbeing of the community and will lead clean-up operations.” </span>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-12-in-photos-the-destruction-of-the-jagersfontein-mine-dam-wall-collapse/fddamage13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1393886\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1393886\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fddamage13.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"472\" /></a> House surrounded by mud when the tailings dam burst open from the nearby local mine in Jagersfontein on 12 September 2022 .Photo: Felix Dlangamandla</p>\r\n<h4><b>Cause of collapse is unknown</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Minerals Council South Africa expressed shock at the disaster. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The causes of the collapse of the dam at the Jagersfontein diamond mine, which was shut in the 1970s, are unknown at this stage. The loss of life and injuries sustained in the deluge … as well as the damage to homes and infrastructure is a tragedy,” said Allan Seccombe, head of communications at the council. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Minerals Council said the Jagersfontein assets are not owned by any of its members and it had no information about the ownership structure at this stage. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seccombe said the council would continue to encourage its members to review the management and operational standards of their tailings dams (which store water and waste that are byproducts of the mining process). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“In addition to the adoption of best practices that have been made in respect of management practices for tailings storage facilities, the Minerals Council believes that adherence to the ICMM [International Council on Mining and Metals] standard will augment existing national standards and legislative requirements and practices to create a step change for the mining industry to address safety risks and the environmental sustainability of these facilities, and to further improve on the management and governance of tailings dams,” said Seccombe. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the area on Monday afternoon. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/fdnonku7/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1394298\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fdnonku7.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"429\" /></a> President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi during his visit to Charlesville to witness the extent of the damage after the tailings dam of a nearby mine burst in Jagersfontein, 12 September 2022. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/fdnonku1/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1394292\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fdnonku1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"428\" /></a> President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi visit Charlesville to see the devastation to the local community. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)</p>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Visit <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=in_article_link&utm_campaign=homepage\"><em>Daily Maverick's</em> home page</a> for more news, analysis and investigations</strong>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h4><b>Political parties wade in</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The EFF called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the disaster and for the owners of the sidings dam to be held to account. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The EFF wants the mining licence holder to assume responsibility for all the damages incurred by the residents and for those who lost their houses to receive new homes within a reasonable timeframe, “and not be subjected to community halls and strange accommodation as is the norm following a disaster of this magnitude”. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The EFF said the disaster speaks to the plight of those residing in mining towns, caused by “foreign mining companies who have zero regard for black people’s lives, particularly mine workers and mining companies”, said national spokesperson Sinawo Tambo. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Patriotic Front of Azania (PFA) said not only the current owners of the mine must be held accountable, but also the previous ones, De Beers. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-12-in-photos-the-destruction-of-the-jagersfontein-mine-dam-wall-collapse/fddamage12/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1393885\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1393885\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fddamage12.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"491\" /></a> Residents of Charlesville standing on what used to be homes that got damaged when the tailings dam burst open from the nearby local mine in Jagersfontein on 12 September 2022. Photo: Felix Dlangamandla</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Government must force De Beers to pay reparations to all families that have been adversely affected by this disaster. Though De Beers sold that mine to a BEE entity called Superkolong in 2010, and promised the local community 10% equity in the new mine ownership, this does not absolve De Beers from general blameworthiness on ecological damages and health hazards created during their tenure as owners of that mine and beneficiaries of apartheid’s racist unethical business regime,” said party president Johnny Maseko. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He added the tragedy would have not occurred had the dam been properly maintained and regular safety inspections conducted.</span><b> DM</b>",
"teaser": "Owners of Free State diamond mine ‘were warned to cease operations two years ago’",
"externalUrl": "",
"sponsor": null,
"authors": [
{
"id": "262292",
"name": "Nonkululeko Njilo",
"image": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/6T5A8100.jpg",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/author/nonkululeko-njilo/",
"editorialName": "nonkululeko-njilo",
"department": "",
"name_latin": ""
}
],
"description": "",
"keywords": [
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "4214",
"name": "Gwede Mantashe",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/gwede-mantashe/",
"slug": "gwede-mantashe",
"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gwede Mantashe is a South African politician and the current Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy within the African National Congress (ANC). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The portfolio was called the Ministry of Minerals and Energy until May 2009, when President Jacob Zuma split it into two separate portfolios under the Ministry of Mining (later the Ministry of Mineral Resources) and the Ministry of Energy. Ten years later, in May 2019, his successor President Cyril Ramaphosa reunited the portfolios as the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mantashe</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> was born in 1955 in the Eastern Cape province, and began his working life at Western Deep Levels mine in 1975 as a Recreation Officer and, in the same year, moved to Prieska Copper Mines where he was Welfare Officer until 1982.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He then joined Matla Colliery and co-founded the Witbank branch of the National Union of Mine Workers (NUM), becoming its Chairperson. He held the position of NUM Regional Secretary in 1985. Mantashe showcased his skills and leadership within the NUM, serving as the National Organiser from 1988 to 1993 and as the Regional Coordinator from 1993 to 1994.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">From 1994 to 1998, Mantashe held the role of Assistant General Secretary of the NUM and was later elected General Secretary in 1998.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During his initial tenure in government, Mantashe served as a Councillor in the Ekurhuleni Municipality from 1995 to 1999. Notably, he made history by becoming the first trade unionist appointed to the Board of Directors of a Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed company, Samancor.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In May 2006, Mantashe stepped down as the General Secretary of the NUM and took on the role of Executive Director at the Development Bank of Southern Africa for a two-year period. He also chaired the Technical Working Group of the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In 2007, Mantashe became the Chairperson of the South African Communist Party and a member of its Central Committee. He was elected Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC) at the party's 52nd National Conference in December 2007. Mantashe was re-elected to the same position in 2012. Additionally, at the ANC's 54th National Conference in 2017, he was elected as the National Chairperson.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mantashe is a complex and controversial figure. He has been accused of being too close to the ANC's corrupt leadership, and of being a hardliner who is opposed to reform. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">His actions and statements have sparked controversy and allegations of protecting corruption, undermining democratic principles, and prioritising party loyalty over the interests of the country.</span>",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Gwede Mantashe",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "13788",
"name": "De Beers",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/de-beers/",
"slug": "de-beers",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "De Beers",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "68223",
"name": "Minerals Council South Africa",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/minerals-council-south-africa/",
"slug": "minerals-council-south-africa",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Minerals Council South Africa",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "206788",
"name": "mudslide",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/mudslide/",
"slug": "mudslide",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "mudslide",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "385480",
"name": "Jagersfontein diamond mine",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/jagersfontein-diamond-mine/",
"slug": "jagersfontein-diamond-mine",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Jagersfontein diamond mine",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "385481",
"name": "Jagersfontein Developments",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/jagersfontein-developments/",
"slug": "jagersfontein-developments",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Jagersfontein Developments",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "385482",
"name": "tailings dam collapse",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/tailings-dam-collapse/",
"slug": "tailings-dam-collapse",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "tailings dam collapse",
"translations": null
}
}
],
"short_summary": null,
"source": null,
"related": [],
"options": [],
"attachments": [
{
"id": "69679",
"name": "Residents of Charlseville stading on what used to be homes that got damaged when the tailings dam burst open from the nearby local mine in Jagersfontein on 12 September 2022.Photo:Felix Dlangamandla",
"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A director-general in the Free State Office of the Premier, Kopung Ralikontsane, says the disaster at the Jagersfontein diamond mine could have been averted had the owners of the tailings dam that collapsed heeded instructions from the government to cease operations two years ago.</span><b> </b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The company, however, maintains that it is operating legally and is compliant, having undergone independent inspections. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A tailings dam wall at the mine collapsed on Sunday, causing a mudslide and flooding in nearby residential areas, which killed at least one person (initially it was </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-12-free-state-mine-dam-burst-floods-kill-three-four-people-critically-injured/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">incorrectly announced by authorities </span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that three people had died), and displaced more than 200. On Monday, a number of people were still missing, and search and rescue operations continued.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minerals and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe declared the mudslide a disaster. He was expected to visit the area on Tuesday.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Director-General Ralikontsane confirmed that an alarm on potential dangers had been raised more than two years ago. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“As the province, we find ourselves in a difficult situation as the mine owners were warned to stabilise their wall or cease operation through warning certificates. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“There are ongoing engagements with the mine owners,” he said. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The executive mayor of Kopanong, Xolani Tseletsele, had already, in February 2021, warned on social media of potential threats that the mine posed to the nearby community. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The company that owns the tailings dam, Jagersfontein Developments, on Monday issued a statement saying it was devastated by the breach at its dam and the impacts on the local community, and had set aside millions of rands to help the affected communities. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We have made R20-million available immediately for affected people on the ground and the restoration of the town. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the single fatality. The treatment facility has stabilised activity at the dam. [The company] is cooperating with local authorities and will offer every assistance to the community while undertaking a full investigation.” </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The floodwater was feared to contain toxins, but the company said: “We have confirmation that the wastewater is not hazardous. Jagersfontein Developments remains committed to the wellbeing of the community and will lead clean-up operations.” </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1393886\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-12-in-photos-the-destruction-of-the-jagersfontein-mine-dam-wall-collapse/fddamage13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1393886\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-1393886\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fddamage13.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"472\" /></a> House surrounded by mud when the tailings dam burst open from the nearby local mine in Jagersfontein on 12 September 2022 .Photo: Felix Dlangamandla[/caption]\r\n<h4><b>Cause of collapse is unknown</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Minerals Council South Africa expressed shock at the disaster. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The causes of the collapse of the dam at the Jagersfontein diamond mine, which was shut in the 1970s, are unknown at this stage. The loss of life and injuries sustained in the deluge … as well as the damage to homes and infrastructure is a tragedy,” said Allan Seccombe, head of communications at the council. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Minerals Council said the Jagersfontein assets are not owned by any of its members and it had no information about the ownership structure at this stage. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seccombe said the council would continue to encourage its members to review the management and operational standards of their tailings dams (which store water and waste that are byproducts of the mining process). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“In addition to the adoption of best practices that have been made in respect of management practices for tailings storage facilities, the Minerals Council believes that adherence to the ICMM [International Council on Mining and Metals] standard will augment existing national standards and legislative requirements and practices to create a step change for the mining industry to address safety risks and the environmental sustainability of these facilities, and to further improve on the management and governance of tailings dams,” said Seccombe. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the area on Monday afternoon. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1394298\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/fdnonku7/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-1394298\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fdnonku7.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"429\" /></a> President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi during his visit to Charlesville to witness the extent of the damage after the tailings dam of a nearby mine burst in Jagersfontein, 12 September 2022. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1394292\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/fdnonku1/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-1394292\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fdnonku1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"428\" /></a> President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi visit Charlesville to see the devastation to the local community. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Visit <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=in_article_link&utm_campaign=homepage\"><em>Daily Maverick's</em> home page</a> for more news, analysis and investigations</strong>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h4><b>Political parties wade in</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The EFF called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the disaster and for the owners of the sidings dam to be held to account. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The EFF wants the mining licence holder to assume responsibility for all the damages incurred by the residents and for those who lost their houses to receive new homes within a reasonable timeframe, “and not be subjected to community halls and strange accommodation as is the norm following a disaster of this magnitude”. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The EFF said the disaster speaks to the plight of those residing in mining towns, caused by “foreign mining companies who have zero regard for black people’s lives, particularly mine workers and mining companies”, said national spokesperson Sinawo Tambo. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Patriotic Front of Azania (PFA) said not only the current owners of the mine must be held accountable, but also the previous ones, De Beers. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1393885\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-12-in-photos-the-destruction-of-the-jagersfontein-mine-dam-wall-collapse/fddamage12/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1393885\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-1393885\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fddamage12.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"491\" /></a> Residents of Charlesville standing on what used to be homes that got damaged when the tailings dam burst open from the nearby local mine in Jagersfontein on 12 September 2022. Photo: Felix Dlangamandla[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Government must force De Beers to pay reparations to all families that have been adversely affected by this disaster. Though De Beers sold that mine to a BEE entity called Superkolong in 2010, and promised the local community 10% equity in the new mine ownership, this does not absolve De Beers from general blameworthiness on ecological damages and health hazards created during their tenure as owners of that mine and beneficiaries of apartheid’s racist unethical business regime,” said party president Johnny Maseko. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He added the tragedy would have not occurred had the dam been properly maintained and regular safety inspections conducted.</span><b> DM</b>",
"focal": "50% 50%",
"width": 0,
"height": 0,
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fdnonku3.jpg",
"transforms": [
{
"x": "200",
"y": "100",
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/fzKYQF8WoK3eqgRckaO16TBnHBg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fdnonku3.jpg"
},
{
"x": "450",
"y": "0",
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/wvvUIZzMiDB69eKYzRpxsMBwmE4=/450x0/smart/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fdnonku3.jpg"
},
{
"x": "800",
"y": "0",
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/T1wZamXKZtiLPgRYnQzCGY4wZnQ=/800x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fdnonku3.jpg"
},
{
"x": "1200",
"y": "0",
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/5wiQKQg9vtX2mwL3ipTEbD7nHf8=/1200x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fdnonku3.jpg"
},
{
"x": "1600",
"y": "0",
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/IFRAeHfgYaQEc3J4Up-b-eKU9_w=/1600x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fdnonku3.jpg"
}
],
"url_thumbnail": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/fzKYQF8WoK3eqgRckaO16TBnHBg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fdnonku3.jpg",
"url_medium": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/wvvUIZzMiDB69eKYzRpxsMBwmE4=/450x0/smart/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fdnonku3.jpg",
"url_large": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/T1wZamXKZtiLPgRYnQzCGY4wZnQ=/800x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fdnonku3.jpg",
"url_xl": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/5wiQKQg9vtX2mwL3ipTEbD7nHf8=/1200x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fdnonku3.jpg",
"url_xxl": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/IFRAeHfgYaQEc3J4Up-b-eKU9_w=/1600x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fdnonku3.jpg",
"type": "image"
}
],
"summary": "Free State Director-General Kopung Ralikontsane confirmed that an alarm on potential dangers had been raised and that the disaster at Jagersfontein diamond mine could have been averted.\r\n",
"template_type": null,
"dm_custom_section_label": null,
"elements": [],
"seo": {
"search_title": "Owners of Free State diamond mine ‘were warned to cease operations two years ago’",
"search_description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A director-general in the Free State Office of the Premier, Kopung Ralikontsane, says the disaster at the Jagersfontein diamond mine could have been averted had the own",
"social_title": "Owners of Free State diamond mine ‘were warned to cease operations two years ago’",
"social_description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A director-general in the Free State Office of the Premier, Kopung Ralikontsane, says the disaster at the Jagersfontein diamond mine could have been averted had the own",
"social_image": ""
},
"cached": true,
"access_allowed": true
} 
House surrounded by mud when the tailings dam burst open from the nearby local mine in Jagersfontein on 12 September 2022 .Photo: Felix Dlangamandla
President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi during his visit to Charlesville to witness the extent of the damage after the tailings dam of a nearby mine burst in Jagersfontein, 12 September 2022. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi visit Charlesville to see the devastation to the local community. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
Residents of Charlesville standing on what used to be homes that got damaged when the tailings dam burst open from the nearby local mine in Jagersfontein on 12 September 2022. Photo: Felix Dlangamandla