South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined key measures that have resulted in disease outbreaks such as cholera in the country.
He said, poor governance, weak management and poor maintenance of infrastructure are mage far worse of the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal in the Gauteng province.
Ramaphosa assured that the government has responsibility and is determined to remedy those shortcomings in a sustainable way and as a matter of urgency.
“Disease outbreaks such as the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal are made far worse in situations of poor governance, weak management and poor maintenance of infrastructure. We have responsibility – and are determined – to remedy those shortcomings in a sustainable way and as a matter of urgency”. The South African presidency tweeted.
The National Health Department now says 23 people have died in the area and one in the Free State. Three of the deceased in Hammanskraal were buried at Kanana cemetery yesterday.
In 2019, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) found that the water in Hammanskraal was not fit for human consumption, after residents of the area complained about its quality.
The commission’s former Gauteng head Buang Jones says the government is not taking the issue seriously.
Meanwhile, Hammanskraal residents say they are extra cautious following the deaths. Residents say they don’t trust tap water as well as the water that they purchase from local vendors.
“We are afraid of this life we are living in right now. We don’t know if that water is 100% or not 100%. But we are buying it. But we are not happy.”
“We only use tap water for washing, laundry and cleaning. We do not drink the tap water.”
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
