Two people have been confirmed missing in Jagersfontein following the collapse of a tailings dam at a local mine last Sunday.
The latest victim has been confirmed as Shadrack Williams, 70.
Initially, only one woman, Mantele Mokgatle, 50, could not be accounted for.
The office of Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela said in a statement she was advised of the latest missing person when she returned to the disaster-stricken town on Friday to assess progress made by the government to rebuild the livelihoods of the people whose houses and properties were destroyed in the mud and water flood from the collapsed dam wall.
“The community and Mr. Williams’ grandson believe that he may have been washed away by the mudslide,” read part of the statement.
The matter has been brought to the attention of the emergency services who have activated the search and rescue team.
When the tailings dam wall collapsed, it caused flooding which swept houses and roads on the edge of the township.
A total of 51 houses in Charlesville and 113 in Itumeleng were totally destroyed.
About 186 people were relocated to the Sandstone Estate in Bloemfontein while 53 were taken to President Hotel in Bloemfontein and 17 are at a guest house in Fauresmith, at a cost to the mine involved.
A further 160 people are said to have opted to move in with relatives and at least 77 learners were relocated to Bloemfontein.
Three schools were affected by the disaster, namely Jagersfontein Combined School, Boaramello Combined School and St Laurens Primary School.
“Attendance has been fairly low due to a number of reasons including the fact that some learners lost their belongings, non-availability of water and anxiety,” said the provincial government.
Last week, 73 people with minor injuries were admitted to the Diamant Hospital in Jagersfontein with another seven at the Alfred Nzula Hospital in Trompsburg.
One was taken to the Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital in Bloemfontein while the other one was admitted at Medi-Clinic Hospital, also in the city. – Staff Reporter