The death toll from a suspected cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal has reached 17, prompting heated discussions and disruptions during a Tshwane council meeting.
Mayor Cilliers Brink stated that tests conducted on the water supply came back negative for cholera, but EFF councillors demanded that he drink a glass of water from Hammanskraal to prove its safety.
Led by EFF regional leader Obakeng Ramabodu, party members protested and disrupted the council sitting, insisting that the meeting could not proceed until Mayor Brink consumed the water allegedly brought from Hammanskraal.
The Gauteng Department of Health confirmed 17 deaths from cholera in the Hammanskraal area, while Brink and city officials debated the source of the outbreak and its connection to the city’s water supply.
Despite the mayor’s assertion that lab tests did not detect cholera in the water from Hammanskraal, the EFF insisted on Brink drinking it to verify its safety for human consumption. However, Brink declined, resulting in prolonged caucus breaks and further delays in the meeting.
EFF leader Ramabodu emphasized their commitment to fighting for their cause and preventing the council from proceeding.
He urged Brink to drink the water, challenging him to see if he would wake up the next morning, and called attention to the people’s suffering and the urgent need for resolution.
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While the exact source of the cholera outbreak and the symptoms experienced by residents of Hammanskraal remain unclear, the region has long grappled with water-related issues.
The quality of the water in the area, including concerns related to the Rooiwal waste treatment plant, has been a contentious topic for years.
The standoff between the EFF and Mayor Brink reflects the gravity of the situation and the public’s demand for immediate action and accountability. – News24
