Gastroenteritis 'outbreak' in Limpopo prompts EFF to consider legal action against government

The EFF in Limpopo has threatened to take legal action against the government over the alleged gastroenteritis outbreak in Polokwane. 

This was after the party received complaints from residents who alleged that they had been experiencing severe stomach illness, including persistent diarrhoea, after drinking tap water. 

The party attributed this to the deteriorating quality of water supplied to communities within the Polokwane Municipality. 

Gastroenteritis, known as stomach flu, is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, causing symptoms such as watery diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps, typically from viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, or sometimes chemicals.

It's usually caught from infected people or contaminated food or water, but in healthy adults, it often resolves in a few days with rest and fluids, though it's more serious for infants, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals due to dehydration risk.

Although the Red Berets believe that there is a strong possibility that the municipal water system has been contaminated by a virus associated with gastroenteritis, chairperson Lawrance Mapoulo said the party has made arrangements with the University of Limpopo to assess the quality of water. 

Mapoulo said the party will take legal action against the provincial government following the assessment. 

“This is unconstitutional. The people have the right to get clean and drinkable water.” 

He said this should not be taken lightly, as the situation could be similar to that of Hammanskraal, Pretoria, in 2023. 

Hammanskraal experienced a significant outbreak of diarrhoeal diseases, which included confirmed cholera cases, leading to multiple deaths and hospitalisation, with contaminated water suspected as the primary cause. The outbreak prompted widespread testing of the water supply and the distribution of water tankers to affected communities, with Outbreak Response Teams (ORTs) deployed for surveillance and water sampling.

During investigative surveillance, teams found that effluent from the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works was significantly contaminating the Apies River, leading to extreme levels of E. coli, bacteria like Salmonella, and harmful micro-pollutants, making water from the downstream Leeuwkraal Dam unsafe for consumption and causing major health crises.

Asked how many cases have been recorded, the Limpopo Health Department spokesperson, Neil Shikwambana, said no case has been reported in any of the faculties in Polokwane or the entire Capricorn District. 

Provincial spokesperson Ndavhe Ramakuela said Polokwane Municipality should respond as this is an operational matter. 

The municipality spokesperson, Thipa Selela, said the municipality is aware of the allegations and public concerns surrounding the possible link between water quality and incidences of diarrhoea in certain areas.

Selela said following the emergence of these concerns, the municipality immediately conducted its own water quality sampling and testing in the alleged affected areas.

“As a result, precautionary measures were activated without delay. In parallel, samples have been submitted to a private, independent laboratory for further analysis to ensure objectivity and to validate findings by the municipality. The municipality is currently awaiting the outcome of these independent test results, which will be communicated to the public once finalised,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mapoulo said complaints were received through the EFF’s councillors on the ground. 

In a statement issued on Monday, the EFF said the situation poses a serious threat to the health and dignity of the residents, especially children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. 

“The failure to ensure safe drinking water not only signifies incompetence but also constitutes a direct violation of the constitutional right to access clean and safe water.

“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,” read the statement. 

The party also called on the Department of Water and Sanitation, Lepelle Water, the Limpopo provincial government, and the leadership of Polokwane Municipality to urgently conduct a comprehensive water quality testing and make the findings public.

The party said immediate intervention measures, including the provision of safe alternative water sources and clear public health advisories, must be implemented without delay. 

Questions were also sent to the Department of Water and Sanitation, which could not respond at the time of publication. 

The article will be updated when the Department of Water and Sanitation responds.

manyane.manyane@inl.co.za