FOR the past 20 years, Michael Sithole has been running a tavern business at Itumeleng in Jagersfontein in the Free State.
Michael (65) said he and his family were depending on the money from the tavern to survive.
But on 11 September 2022, his business collapsed when a mine dam in Jagersfontein burst, resulting in several houses and cars being destroyed by the mudslide.
“I was so tired after I closed the tavern late that day before the incident happened. On Sunday morning, neighbours were screaming my name, some even threw stones on top of my roof alerting me to wake up. When I went outside, they told me our lives were in danger and I must leave the house,” he said.
Michael said he opened the gate and saw mudslides coming from the mine towards their homes.
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“I ran for my dear life to a safe place. Some people even teased me saying I ran faster than them yet I was heavily bodied. To be honest, we should thank God that the incident happened around 7 am. If it happened in the early hours, we could have seen more disasters,’ he said.
Michael said it was sad that two people lost their lives, and a woman went missing and has still not been found.
He said he hoped the rebuilding of his house would be finished soon.
He said at the moment he’s running his business from a shack.
“I believe half a loaf is better than nothing, the little money I get I can buy food for my family. I’m happy with the progress and can’t wait to go back to my new house which is better than the one I used to stay in,” said Michael.
