MINERAL Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has committed to working with Jagersfontein residents as they rebuild their lives.
The minister cut short his visit to South Sudan and Niger to visit the Free State residents on Tuesday, 13 September.
This comes after a mine dam collapsed on Sunday, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
A 70-year-old was confirmed dead while more than 80 people were taken to various hospitals, most of who were treated for hypothermia..
An elderly woman was reported missing, and more than 250 people were left homeless.
During a briefing, Mantashe and acting director of planning and social development for the Gariep District Municipality, Morakane Keswa, said technical teams were monitoring daily developments.
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Keswa said according to the information she had, 51 houses were completely destroyed and 103 more were damaged.
She said the search and rescue team was still trying to locate the elderly woman who went missing.
“The Social Development Department will be assisting on the ground, with 12 social workers providing psychological assistance.
“The South African Social Security Agency will help with registering affected community members,” she said.
Keswa said Home Affairs would help people who lost their documentation.
“The Department of Education has identified affected schools and will help pupils, especially matrics, so that learning is not disrupted,” she said.
Mantashe said his department will check on mine dumps.
