ANC STATEMENT ON WATER TRAGEDY IN BLOEMHOF

The African National Congress is saddened by the news of the death of two more babies from a diarrhoea outbreak in Bloemhof today, bringing to 3 the number of children who have died in that area since the start of this terrible tragedy. We send our deepest sympathies to all families affected and wish them strength during this difficult time of loss. 

The ANC has noted and welcomed the pronouncements made by the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Comrade Nomvula Mokonyane, in relation to the situation in Bloemhof, particularly her commitment that the Department of Water and Sanitation will speedily work to improve the water infrastructure in Bloemhof.

This commitment is in line with the undertaking we have made as the ANC to significantly improve the provision of water and sanitation to our communities in the new term. A major and urgent task that faces the newly formed Department will be to ensure that we strengthen local government's capacity to provide every household with quality, clean and safe drinking water whilst at the same time accelerating delivery on our resolution to eradicate the bucket system in South Africa.

Statement issued by Zizi Kodwa, ANC national spokesperson, June 2 2014

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter