…By Roland Peterson for TDPel Media.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, accompanied by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink, visited Hammanskraal in response to the cholera outbreak that has claimed the lives of 24 individuals in the area.
The visit began with a tour of the Rooiwal Wastewater treatment plant, where an official responsible for its operation highlighted the challenges faced by the facility.
Challenges at the Rooiwal Treatment Plant
During the tour, it became evident that the aging infrastructure of the plant was unable to effectively process waste into clean water, with burst pipes being a notable issue.
The official attributed the pipe failures to an incomplete tender, which prevented the necessary repairs from being carried out.
Explaining the situation, the official stated, “The problem here is the color is supposed to be light brown, but because a lot of the diffuse pipes that pool oxygen into the water, some have popped, and some have burst.
They are not all working, so we have a lot of leaks.”
Connection to the Cholera Outbreak
While the exact source of the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal remains unknown, the Rooiwal Treatment Plant has been identified as a potential factor due to the community’s lack of access to clean running water in recent years.
Commitment to Clean Water Supply
Addressing the community at Temba Stadium, President Ramaphosa made a promise to provide clean water to the community as soon as possible.
He assured the community that immediate measures would be taken, including the provision of clean water through tanks.
Additionally, plans were made to expedite the construction of a smaller water treatment plant by Magalies Water, with completion expected within six months.
President Ramaphosa’s visit aimed to address the urgent need for clean water in Hammanskraal and alleviate the ongoing health crisis caused by the cholera outbreak.