(IDEX Online) - A criminal case is to be opened in South Africa against Jagersfontein Developments over the dam burst tragedy in September that killed at least two people and devastated a town.The Department of Water and Sanitation says that in addition to the criminal case it is implementing administrative enforcement measures against the company, owned by Dubai-based Stargems. It alleges contraventions of the National Water Act.
A five-mile plume of grey sludge killed hundreds of animals, wrecked 350 homes and damaged infrastructure and farmland at Jagersfontein, in the Free State province after a dam holding tailings (or waste) from a disused diamond mine burst.The Jagersfontein mine was closed by De Beers in the 1970s and was bought by Stargems in April. The company said at the time that "a full due diligence was conducted prior to this acquisition showing that the assets, including the dam were safe and secure". Pic shows devastation at Jagersfontein, courtesy GCIS (Government Communication and Information System)