Residents of Charlesville in the Free State are suing the owners of the Jagersfontein diamond mine.
A mine dam wall collapse on Sunday killed at least one person and left over 300 others homeless.
Several people are still unaccounted for.
The families have appointed Phosa Loots Attorneys to file a lawsuit.
Jagersfontein community members are calling for the mine company responsible for the collapsed dam to be shut down.
They also want the miner to assist in rebuilding the community.
Victoria Phindo, a community member said, “the mine must be closed for now and then they must take responsibility rebuild the houses.
“I don’t how they are going to rebuild the dignity of our community because we lost everything, we lost dignity, we lost property, there are lives that are lost and some of the things can not be restored.”
“But we wish they can do something that will at least help the community members.”