The South African Human Rights Commission Chairperson (SAHRC) in Gauteng, Zamantungwa Mbeki, says someone must be held accountable for cholera-related deaths in Hammanskraal.
The outbreak has killed 23 people in the area and one in the Free State.
Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, says the current cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal could be linked to the police training college in the area, after the first reported case was recorded at the college.
Mbeki says it’s important to determine the source of the outbreak.
“Definitely action needs to be taken even through the courts and once liability is determined. So, what the commission and other entities are currently looking at, is once you determine where the source of the outbreak is, you know that you then have the right to sue that particular entity in terms of loss of life. So definitely there is a legal recourse but overall, the most important is that we make sure that this issue of the water is treated overall, so that we don’t find ourselves here again.”
Meanwhile, Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu is briefing media to provide an update on the latest intervention measures on how the department and the City of Tshwane will deal with the Cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal.
The minister will also release the interim Blue Drop Certification Programme report which calls for excellent drinking water quality.
Live stream below:
