The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The 30 day period has expired since the DA submitted an application to gain access to the final report on water contamination in Bloemhof, in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).

Failure to respond, under the terms of this law, is a deemed refusal by the North West Department of Health. As such, the DA will lodge an internal appeal in accordance with Section 75 of PAIA.

It is completely unacceptable that the Department is treating this important matter with such disdain.
 
Indeed, the preliminary reports by The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirm that the bacterium which normally lives in the intestines of humans and animals was found in the water samples. According to the North West Department of Health, water samples were also undergoing testing at the Enteric Virus and Environmental Research Unit in the Department of Medical Virology at the University of Pretoria, for specific diarrhoea-causing viruses.

Important government action on this health crisis can only be undertaken once a proper diagnosis of the problem is made. It is therefore essential that the final report be made public and scrutinised.

It is also critical that we get to the bottom of the cause so that officials responsible for ensuring clean drinking water are held accountable.

Earlier this year, the death of three babies and treatment of over 500 other people, having drunk contaminated water in Bloemhof’s Boitumelong Township, was a national tragedy.

This department cannot continue to sit on its hands whilst preventable diseases spread due to the lack of proper management and know-how. Consequently the lives of our most vulnerable South Africans are at risk.

The DA will continue to put as much pressure as possible on both the national and provincial departments to ensure that urgent action is taken.