Issued by: Ministry of Health
05 August 2005
Samples collected from water sources in the farming areas outside Bronkhorstspruit have been found to have a number of bacteria associated with diarrhoeal and other water-borne diseases.
The samples were collected after the local community complained to the Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang about lack of access to safe water and they share water sources with livestock. The Minister visited these farming areas as part of her constituency work in the Kungwini Municipality last week (July 26).
The result of the laboratory tests were presented during Minister Tshabalala-Msimang follow-up visit today (August 05) to establish progress that has been made in addressing the concerns raised by the community.
The laboratory tests established that there were total coliform bacteria (caused by poor hygiene and may lead to food contamination), faecoal coliform bacteria (linked to contamination by human and animal faeces contamination) and other bacteria in the water samples. The samples were collected in open water sources used by the community and livestock along Rietfontein river and other water streams in the area.
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang discouraged the community from using the contaminated water without purifying it. The Department of Health has already provided bleach to the local households for water purification. Water tanks have been provided and portable water is provided regularly by water-tankers from the Kungwini Municipality.
A family that complained to the Minister about harassment and damage to their property has already opened a case of malicious damage to property at the local police station against a local farmer. (The main complainant is Ms Sibongile Mathibela).
The Department of Health has also addressed the challenge of lack of proper sanitation and the absence of mobile clinics in remote area, as well as shortage of staff and poor service reported at Kangala Clinic.
Mpumalanga MEC for health, Mr Pasha, after the Minister's visit, sent a team to assess the situation. Following their findings, the MEC has committed himself to address some of the issues.
This will include procurement of stock and to do repairs to Kangala clinic, deployment of dentists to the area, provide a mobile clinic to the farming community and advertise posts.
The Minister will make a follow-up on all the issues.