Children and elderly at risk: EFF blasts authorities over failing water supply
EFF warns of public health catastrophe as Polokwane tap water reportedly makes residents ill.
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The Limpopo Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have expressed serious concern over a recent outbreak of gastroenteritis in Polokwane, which they attribute to the deteriorating quality of municipal water.
Residents have reported severe stomach illnesses, including persistent diarrhoea, after consuming tap water, prompting fears of a looming public health crisis.
“The EFF expresses grave concern about the outbreak of gastroenteritis in Polokwane caused by the deteriorating quality of water supplied to communities within the Polokwane Municipality,” the party said in a statement.
According to the EFF, community consultations and engagements with affected residents allegedly indicate that the municipal water system may have been contaminated by a virus linked to gastroenteritis.
Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, are at particular risk. The party further criticised authorities for failing to ensure safe drinking water, which they said constitutes a violation of the constitutional right to access clean water.
“Through community consultations and engagements with affected residents, it has become evident that there is a strong possibility that the municipal water system has been contaminated by a virus associated with gastroenteritis,” the EFF said.
The party also condemned what it called continued negligence by municipal and provincial authorities.
“The EFF Limpopo condemns the continued neglect and lack of accountability by municipal and provincial authorities who have failed to act decisively despite repeated warnings from communities,” the party said.
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