A fifth person has died from typhoid after an outbreak in Delmas, a spokesperson for the Mpumalanga premier said on Tuesday.
”Twenty-three-year-old Alfred Thombeni died last night [Monday] at Bernice Samuel Hospital,” Lebona Mosia said.
Since the outbreak was identified on August 22, 594 cases have been confirmed and 3 318 people have been treated for diarrhoea, a symptom of the faecal oral disease.
Residents of the town embarked on a series of protests last week demanding that the mayor Tefo Kadi resign.
Tests revealed that salmonella typhoid, spread by human waste, was found in a borehole in the area.
It is not exactly clear how the water became contaminated but possibilities being studied include overflow from the bucket system, and a problem with a chlorinator.
Meanwhile, a community representative will meet an attorney from Wits University’s Legal Resources Centre to discuss possible legal action against authorities for the outbreak.
Durkje Gilfillan said they were approached to set up a meeting to discuss legal avenues open to the community.
”Clean water and health is a human right,” Gilfillan said.
”We will have to see whether we take on compensation or whether we stick to the basic right to water and sanitation.”
Gilfillan said that the goal would probably be to ensure the provision of clean water and sanitation in the area. – Sapa