South Africa is virtually ‘drowning’ in sewage with the e-coli count in the Vaal River at Parys being measured in millions according to the Christian Democratic Party’s leader.
Moreover, the Democratic Alliance’s provincial spokeman, Basil Alexander wants the Free State health department to investigate reports that a thousand cases of diarrhoea have been reported in the Moqhaka (Kroonstad) local municipality.
Botha said that there had been a stream of reports of water pollution throughout the country and by now the government should have launched a plan to provide safe water for drinking and irrigation purposes.
The DA has raised its concerns with Free State Health MEC, Sisi Mabe. Alexander says he has received reports that the Moqhaka municipality is unable to purchase chlorine because of financial restraints in the municipal budgets.
“More disconcerting is the fact that residents in Steynsrus, who have experienced frequent water shortages, have indicated that the water they get from tankers does not appear to be suitable for human consumption,” Alexandar says.
According to Alexander, raw sewage is flowing on the streets of Koppies in the Ngwathe Municipality and apparently several DA councillors have laid charges against the municipalities in different parts of the Free State because sewage is a serious threat to the health of residents.
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