Findings on E Cape water quality out next week

Findings on whether contaminated water in the Eastern Cape had led to the death of 78 babies will be available next week. Water Affairs department spokesperson Themba Khumalo says water samples are being analysed.

Last week, reports emerged that 78 children from Barkly East, Maclear, Sterkspruit and Elliot might have died as a result of diarrhoea allegedly caused by contaminated water.

An official health report indicates there had been a breakdown at a water purification works in October last year. Urgent action was apparently recommended but not carried out.