Cholera in Hammanskraal: Death toll rises to 22

The cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, located north of Pretoria, has tragically claimed more lives.

The death toll is now up to 22.

This update was confirmed during a press briefing held by Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink and Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu on Friday.

Cholera update

Brink emphasised the critical importance of addressing the issue by fixing the Rooiwal Waste Treatment Plant.

Rooiwal upgrades

He said upgrading the Rooiwal plant is vital to ensure a healthy water supply for the community, and upgrades will be carried out over the next three years.

To facilitate this, R450 million has been allocated over the next three years.

However, collaborative efforts involving the water and sanitation ministry and other spheres of government are still necessary to achieve the desired outcomes, as highlighted by Mayor Brink.

SAHRC’s call for intervention

Meanwhile, the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) called for swift and decisive actions earlier this week.

The SAHRC’s Gauteng Provincial Office initiated a monitoring visit to Hammanskraal, including the Jubilee Hospital where more than 100 patients were being treated.

During this visit, the SAHRC team engaged with City of Tshwane officials to assess the temporary solutions implemented to manage the outbreak.

The human rights commission expressed its commitment to working closely with the City of Tshwane and the Department of Health to identify the source of the outbreak.

Vaal River contaminated

Also on Friday, alarming evidence pointed to the Vaal River also being contaminated with cholera.

AfriForum’s environmental affairs manager Lambert de Klerk said water samples were taken at the outlet of the sewage works, while other samples were taken from houses in the region.

While no cholera was found in those samples, a third sample taken in the Vaal River, 10 metres downstream, was contaminated with cholera and E. coli.

WATCH: Alarming evidence Vaal River contaminated with cholera