Two learners die, 60 hospitalised after drinking contaminated water
The Sekhukhune District Municipality in Limpopo has
confirmed that two learners have died and 60 children hospitalised after
drinking contaminated water.
Sekhukhune District Municipality spokesperson, Willy Mosoma, says since the establishment of the municipality in 2000, community members have been drinking water from a canal that was never tested until Wednesday night.
He says water tests were done after the two children passed away last week.
"After taking water samples in the community, a CSIR report confirmed that typhoid disease was detected in the water,'' Mosoma says.
He says typhoid has been tested positive in the water that flows in a canal that runs parallel to the affected villages, including Stykraal, Tswaing, Mooiplaas and Vlakplaas.
Water tankers have since been delivered to the area to provide residents with clean drinking water.
Mosoma says the department takes full responsibility for the typhoid outbreak.