Seventh cholera death in Musina

2008-12-03 16:02

Sydney Masinga & Frans van der Merwe

Musina - Farmers in Limpopo fear for their health and crops after it was confirmed on Tuesday that the Limpopo River is contaminated with cholera.

Water samples were taken from the river on Monday and, on Tuesday, the Limpopo health department confirmed the samples tested positive for cholera.

"Many of our farmers who irrigate their crops with water from the Limpopo River are worried for their health and their crops," said Jan Viljoen, chairperson of the Transvaal Agricultural Union's northern branch, TAU-SA North.

He urged farmers and other community members along the river to be extra careful and boil the water from the river before using it and to sterilise it with bleach.

Spokesperson for the Musina local municipality, Wilson Dzebu, assured that Musina's municipal water supply remained clear of cholera.

"Our water is properly purified and remains safe to drink," he said on Wednesday.

He said the water was being tested twice a day.

Zimbabweans blamed for contamination

Provincial health spokesperson Phuti Seloba said he did not want to speculate on how the Limpopo River was contaminated, though most locals blame it on Zimbabweans who have entered South Africa to seek treatment in Musina.

A Zimbabwean woman died of cholera at Musina hospital on Tuesday night, bringing the total number of deaths in South Africa to seven since November 15.

Two of the victims were South Africans who fell ill while working in Zimbabwe.

Seloba said that since November 15, 455 people had been treated for cholera, including the seven who died. Seventy-one are currently in hospital.

The World Health Organisation reported on Tuesday that more than 12 000 cases of cholera have been reported in Zimbabwe since August, while more than 500 people have died there.

"It is good to be here in South Africa, where there is medicine and care," said Baron Mbedzi, a patient from Harare.

Businesses thriving

Rosina Purisa, who is waiting for her asylum papers at the Musina show grounds, where Zimbabwean refugees are camping, said it was painful to see her country collapse.

"Those who can afford it can come here to South Africa for treatment and jobs, but those without money are dying," she said.

Prominent businessman and chairperson of the Musina Chamber of Commerce, Jason Rana, said that while locals were afraid of contracting the disease, they needed to be compassionate.

"We realise they are in dire straights there in Zimbabwe and if they are left there they will die. The entire health care system of that country has collapsed, so we must treat them with the necessary compassion," he said.

He said Zimbabweans were also largely responsible for keeping the local economy going because they did most of their shopping in Musina.

"All sectors of business are thriving at the moment. From the informal street vendors to the most sophisticated businesses are doing extremely well," he said.

- African Eye