Premier orders search for missing man

The Premier of the Free State Sisi Ntombela returned to the disaster stricken Jagersfontein on Friday to assess progress made by government in an attempt to rebuild the livelihoods of people who were affected by the collapse of a mine dam wall, which led to houses, cars and other belongings being swept away.

The Premier met with some community members of Itumeleng, and upon her interaction with them, she was informed about 70-year-old Shadrack Williams who has been missing since the day of the disaster.

In a statement, the Office of the Premier said “the community and Mr Williams’ grandson believe that he may have been washed away by the mudslide.

“The matter was then brought to the attention of the emergency services, who have activated the search and rescue team in this regard.

“This brings the total number of the unaccounted-for persons to two, including 50-year-old Mrs Mantele Mokgatle.”