This comes after the recent outbreak of cholera in Gauteng and the Free State and reports that the bacteria has been detected in the Vaal River system.

Municipal spokesperson Thoko Riet says the water at the Riverton water purification works is 100% compliant to South African national standards on microbiological standards, and therefore remains clear for consumption. Riet says the latest tests at the water treatment plant were conducted on 24 and 25 May and they showed zero detection of cholera.

At least 29 cases of cholera have been confirmed in Gauteng, with 20 people confirmed to have died in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria. The Free State Department of Health has confirmed one death, with eight people testing positive for cholera.

AfriForum Head of Environmental Affairs, Lambert de Klerk, claims that water samples taken by AfriForum and the Save Ngwathe group from the Vaal River at Parys on Tuesday, 23 May, tested positive for cholera.

“There are several places where the raw sewage flows into the river due to infrastructure that is burnt out or is simply not available, loadshedding, and the fact that there is no emergency assistance such as generators or emergency pumps,” he says.

Sol Plaatje is one of municipalities that has been struggling with its water supply as a result of old infrastructure. This year, Mayor Kagisho Sonyoni announced that R2 billion will be spent to deal with water infrastructure challenges at the Kimberley-based municipality.

Riet says both raw and purified samples of water will be sent to an accredited laboratory to test for cholera. She reassured residents that the municipality will warn them to boil water before consumption if cholera is detected. She adds that even if the bacteria is detected in raw water, the treatment process is capable of removing it.

OFM News