By Johnathan Paoli
The long-awaited prosecution into the 2022 Jagersfontein tailings dam collapse is finally set to begin, nearly three years after the disaster devastated the Free State mining town.
The Departments of Water and Sanitation, and Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment confirmed that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has finalised a criminal case docket following joint investigations into the failure of the Jagersfontein Fine Tailings Storage Facility (FTSF).
“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,” the departments said in a joint statement.
Five suspects, all employees of an engineering company, have been summoned to appear in the Jagersfontein Magistrate’s Court on 10 September 2025.
The collapse released a torrent of mine waste into nearby communities, killing at least two people, leaving one unaccounted for, and destroying homes, infrastructure, and
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