Media statement 27 October 2023
Cllr Rina Marx
MMC for Health
The City of Tshwane Health Department has noted with concern recent messages in circulation on social media indicating that the source of the recent cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal can be traced to Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant and that the City of Tshwane bears culpability.
The cholera outbreak prompted a multidisciplinary intervention between local, provincial and national government. Water testing efforts of various sources were ramped up, including taps, water tankers, boreholes, bottled water, rivers and streams.
The City of Tshwane Health Department would like to reaffirm that the national Department of Water and Sanitation commissioned the Water Research Commission to undertake an independent investigation into the cholera outbreak.
The investigations included, among others, microbiologists, epidemiologists and engineers to assess the functionality and compliance of waste management systems. In addition, laboratories accredited by the South African National Accreditation System were brought on board to test samples for toxigenic vibrio cholera and other bacteria. The findings of the independent investigation in July 2023 concluded that it remains unknown whether water was a source of the cholera outbreak.
As the MMC responsible for Health, I would like to caution residents against spreading disinformation from unverified sources. This has the potential to create unnecessary panic among communities.
Our Health department remains committed to executing its municipal health services mandate which includes monitoring water quality and availability. This work includes water sampling, testing, and mapping water sources in relation to pollution and contamination and protecting water sources.
Enquiries: Natashia Chhiba (natashiach@tshwane.gov.za)