Ukhahlamba not a disaster area, says E Cape govt

The Eastern Cape government will not declare the Ukhahlamba Municipal District a disaster area after the death of about 80 children. They are believed to have died after consuming contaminated water and were diagnosed with diarrhoea and other stomach illnesses.

It is suspected that silt and dirt, which moved along damaged water pipes and was pumped through to the taps, could have caused the illnesses. Eastern Cape government spokesperson Phaphama Mfenyane says various specialists have been sent to the area to verify the exact cause of the children's deaths.

Mfenyane sent his condolences to the families who have lost their children and says government will assist them. Meanwhile, an official health report pointed to a breakdown in water purification works in October last year and called for swift action. However, no action was taken.