This follows a diarrhoea outbreak in the area two weeks ago, which led to several hospitalisations and over 70 recorded cases, including the death of a nine-month-old baby.
City of Mbombela Executive Mayor Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko says that rigorous testing of water samples had been conducted, and the results showed that the water is free from contamination. “As the City of Mbombela, we have done several tests over the past two weeks to ensure the water quality that we are giving to our communities. Through the samples that we’ve taken and sent to accredited labs, we found that the water of Umjindini is not contaminated. So, we are giving them quality drinking water,” says Makushe-Mazibuko.
She also noted, “We are working together with the Department of Water and Sanitation, Cogta, Health and Agriculture, including Ehlanzeni District Municipality. So as it stands, we are continuing to ensure that we take samples and ensure that our water is of high quality.”One resident expressed doubt, saying, “The matter of the water is there. When the municipality said it’s not the water, they were lying to us because it is the matter of the water.