ANC Secretary General Comrade Fikile Mbalula visits Hammanskraal amid cholera and water problems
2 June 2023
On 01 June 2023 the African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General, Comrade Fikile Mbalula visited the community of Hammanskraal in the City of Tshwane. The visit was part of an outreach programme following the cholera outbreak which has so far claimed over 20 lives.
The Secretary General also used the visit to pay a courtesy call to the bereaved families of loved ones affected by cholera where he also officially conveyed condolences on behalf the movement.
The ANC is greatly concerned about the severe impact that the cholera outbreak had on the community of Hammanskraal. We however applaud the multi-disciplinary efforts by government and civil society to mitigate against the effects of the outbreak.
Based on the research findings of experts and statements that different technical teams have issued from the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Department of Health, and the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Council, it is indeed true that the Hammanskraal community has been experiencing unreliable and poor-quality potable water supply for an extended period. The research findings indicate that the poor water quality is caused by failure of the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works to meet the desirable final effluent quality for discharge to the Apies River which flows into the Leeukraal Dam.
The Wastewater Treatment Works is situated upstream of Hammanskraal and has affected the Leeukraal Dam where the Temba Water Treatment Works abstracts water for treatment and distribution to residents as portable drinking water. We note and welcome joint initiatives by the technical teams from the Department of Water and Sanitation, the provincial and national Department of Health and relevant municipalities in carrying out water quality tests at distribution points and at water treatment works in areas where people have become infected. They are also engaged in tracking and tracing of infections.
The ANC also thanks all healthcare workers currently dedicating themselves to the fight against the outbreak and curbing it. We must motivate and encourage our ground forces to continue supporting each other, our neighbours and communities. The ANC is committed to helping people during this challenging time and collaborating with progressive stakeholders to ensure that water is clean, purified and healthy to drink.
The ANC firmly believes that access to clean water is a fundamental element in our lives that deserves our utmost attention. The water complexities facing Hammanskraal require a holistic and cross-sectoral approach because water remains essential for human health, food security and environmental sustainability.
The ANC believes that improving access to water will lead to more remarkable sanitation outcomes which will be a significant step toward preventing the next health crisis in our country.
To achieve this we need bold and intelligent solutions. We need to create new, green business opportunities. We must complete these through transparent, participatory, and accountable community driven solutions. We will continue working with all stakeholders towards finding solutions for all water challenges in Hammanskraal.
The ANC will closely monitor the work carried out in Hammanskraal to ensure that all commitments made are implemented and that the community has access to clean and decent water.
Issued by Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, ANC National Spokesperson, 2 June 2023
