The South Africa government has begun revealing the bill for taxpayers from the cholera crisis. The Department of Water Affairs has spent close to R40 million so far, half of that in Zimbabwe. At the start of National Water Week, South Africans have again been assured that tap water is safe to drink and that it's ranked among the best in the world.
Nearly 12 000 South Africans have been treated for cholera since the end of last year and 59 people have died. Most were victims of the Zimbabwe outbreak, which spread across into Limpopo and Mpumalanga. However at one stage all nine provinces were treating cholera cases. Water Affairs has now put a cash figure on the crisis. So far the department has spent R21 million on Zimbabwe's collapsed water system and a further R18 million will be spent in Musina.
Alongside the Zimbabwe cholera crises, the main problem in these areas is access to clean water. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Lindiwe Hendricks says: “We've been so much on the ground, being hands- on, giving support to various municipalities, we have gone to the extent of deploying our own technicians and engineers and even attracted skills from other countries to municipalities that are far flung in rural areas.”
The department insists the country’s tap water is safe but six municipalities don't meet quality standards. The department has also allocated R4 billion to upgrade municipal infrastructure nationwide.
- SABC
Nearly 12 000 South Africans have been treated for cholera since the end of last year and 59 people have died. Most were victims of the Zimbabwe outbreak, which spread across into Limpopo and Mpumalanga. However at one stage all nine provinces were treating cholera cases. Water Affairs has now put a cash figure on the crisis. So far the department has spent R21 million on Zimbabwe's collapsed water system and a further R18 million will be spent in Musina.
Alongside the Zimbabwe cholera crises, the main problem in these areas is access to clean water. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Lindiwe Hendricks says: “We've been so much on the ground, being hands- on, giving support to various municipalities, we have gone to the extent of deploying our own technicians and engineers and even attracted skills from other countries to municipalities that are far flung in rural areas.”
The department insists the country’s tap water is safe but six municipalities don't meet quality standards. The department has also allocated R4 billion to upgrade municipal infrastructure nationwide.
- SABC
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