The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), in collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), is pleased to confirm that criminal proceedings are set to commence following the tragic failure of the 2022 Jagersfontein Fine Tailings Storage Facility (FTSF).

The collapse of the FTSF, caused severe devastation to the town of Jagersfontein in the Free State, which saw two people lose their lives, while one person remains unaccounted for. The release of processed mine tailings, which are waste materials left over after valuable minerals are extracted during the mining process, resulted in extensive destruction to houses, roads, and other infrastructure, while large areas of natural and agricultural land, as well as surrounding watercourses, were covered in waste material.

In response, government agencies, specialist organisations, and civil society rallied to support the affected community and its livestock. The DFFE, with assistance from several government partners and expert organisations, initiated a long-term rehabilitation programme. Infrastructure such as houses and roads has since been repaired, and efforts to clean and restore the natural environment are ongoing, the cost of which is covered by the Jagersfontein Developments.

The DWS Dam Safety Regulation Directorate conducted an extensive technical study into the cause of the failure. This included site visits and expert evaluations by specialist civil engineers, i.e. geotechnical and hydraulic engineers from the University of Pretoria and the University of the Witwatersrand.

Parallel to this, the Environmental Management Inspectorates from both DFFE and DWS conducted a joint investigation into the incident. A criminal case docket was finalised and referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Bloemfontein, which has taken the decision to prosecute.

The first court appearance is scheduled for 10 September 2025 in the Magistrate’s Court in Jagersfontein. It is anticipated that the case will be transferred to a higher court on the same day, with a full trial to follow.

Government remains committed to hold those responsible for this tragedy accountable, while continuing to support the long-term rehabilitation of the community and environment affected by the disaster.