Deputy minister of water and sanitation David Mahlobo says one of the problems the country faces is the complete deterioration of good water quality.
Speaking at the Jubilee District Hospital in Hammanskraal on Monday, Mahlobo said in the next few days his team will meet with experts to discuss the matter.
“If we work well with the communities we will be able to contain this outbreak because if we don’t contain it, the health department will have more problems... and a number of our people will perish on the basis that instead of water being life, water will become death,” said Mahlobo.
He said a command centre has been established to coordinate government’s response to the outbreak, adding that this would allow them to track where the cholera outbreak originated and prevent it from spreading further.
"That information will be shared with the public but equally, if there is any culpability, that information can also be used by law enforcement agencies because there must be accountability for this incident."
There was drama as Mahlobo, deputy minister of health Sibongiseni Dhlomo and Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink arrived at the hospital which has been treating patience with cholera.
Brink was chased away by angry residents.
The disgruntled group ambushed cars transporting Brink outside the hospital, forcing him off the premises. They only allowed entry to Mahlobo and Dhlomo.
They accused the mayor of ignoring their concerns about matters affecting residents.
Brink had arrived at the hospital hoping to give an update on the city’s plans to assist and manage the situation.
On Monday, the Gauteng department of health reported that the death toll in the cholera outbreak had risen to 15.
Cholera victims besiege Jubilee Hospital in Hammanskraal
'SA faces deterioration of water quality'
Image: Supplied
Deputy minister of water and sanitation David Mahlobo says one of the problems the country faces is the complete deterioration of good water quality.
Speaking at the Jubilee District Hospital in Hammanskraal on Monday, Mahlobo said in the next few days his team will meet with experts to discuss the matter.
“If we work well with the communities we will be able to contain this outbreak because if we don’t contain it, the health department will have more problems... and a number of our people will perish on the basis that instead of water being life, water will become death,” said Mahlobo.
He said a command centre has been established to coordinate government’s response to the outbreak, adding that this would allow them to track where the cholera outbreak originated and prevent it from spreading further.
"That information will be shared with the public but equally, if there is any culpability, that information can also be used by law enforcement agencies because there must be accountability for this incident."
There was drama as Mahlobo, deputy minister of health Sibongiseni Dhlomo and Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink arrived at the hospital which has been treating patience with cholera.
Brink was chased away by angry residents.
The disgruntled group ambushed cars transporting Brink outside the hospital, forcing him off the premises. They only allowed entry to Mahlobo and Dhlomo.
They accused the mayor of ignoring their concerns about matters affecting residents.
Brink had arrived at the hospital hoping to give an update on the city’s plans to assist and manage the situation.
On Monday, the Gauteng department of health reported that the death toll in the cholera outbreak had risen to 15.
Amnesty International South Africa said the death toll was deeply "troubling and unacceptable".
The organisation's executive director, Shenilla Mohamed, said people were dying of a "preventable and easily treatable disease".
“It is tragic and appalling that people are dying from cholera in South Africa in 2023. The authorities must act decisively immediately.” – Additional reporting by Shonisani Tshikalange
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