THE Jagersfontein Developments is facing civil lawsuit.
This was announced by human rights lawyer Richard Spoor.
Spoor, of the law firm Richard Spoor Inc Attorneys, said they're representing families who were injured and lost everything in the mine burst.
On 11 September 2022, the tailings dam at the diamond mine operated by Jagersfontein Development in Free State collapsed, killing two people and leaving one woman still missing.
Families lost their homes, many were injured and even lost their livelihoods.
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He said they will file a civil suit against Jagersfontein Developments within six weeks for the damages suffered by community members and farmers.“The proceedings for compensation for financial losses and property damage suffered by the people of Jagersfointein.
“However, there are two much bigger issues. The first is the environmental impact of this disaster, which needs to be addressed," Spoor said.
“The second is the long-term health consequences for local residents.” He said the lawsuit will proceed in three stages, the first being to get permission from the court to allow a class action to proceed as a collective.
“We will file this application within the next six weeks. The next phase is to get an order saying that they are liable for all the damages that have occurred.
“The Special Master will be able to make binding and common sense decisions to ensure that people are compensated fairly.”
Jagersfontein Developments spokesman Billy Bilankulu said they were aware that residents had taken the matter to lawyers.
He said the legal department would look into the matter once it received correspondence from the victims' lawyers.
