/ 20 November 2007

Diarrhoea-hit Delmas residents forced to buy water

Residents of Botleng township near Delmas have resorted to buying water from local shops following the outbreak of diarrhoea in the area.

Maria Sisiphuma, a mother of five children, said she buys water for R8,50 per five litres because she does not want her children to get sick.

”I cannot be free at work not knowing what waits me at home. There is a risk of my children becoming sick from drinking the water.”

All her children had been affected by diarrhoea since the outbreak last month.

Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Lindiwe Hendricks, Mpumalanga Premier Thabang Makwetla and a task team of experts were in a meeting and would announce the results of tests conducted on the water. A media briefing is scheduled for Tuesday evening.

The number of affected people has risen to 1 006 since the outbreak on October 22. — Sapa