A growing outbreak of gastro-intestinal infections in Polokwane and Seshego has sparked alarm and led to allegations of contaminated municipal water. Dozens of residents have reported severe symptoms, including diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever, and nausea, with many requiring medical attention.
Affected individuals across the communities are drawing a direct line between their illnesses and the tap water supplied by the Polokwane Municipality. They are now demanding the municipality urgently collect and test water samples from affected areas to identify the pathogen responsible.
The municipality sources its water from multiple supply points, including the Olifantsport Water Treatment Plant, the Ebenezer Scheme operated by Lepelle Northern Water, and several dams and boreholes.
In emotional accounts, residents described entire households falling sick. One woman explained that after visiting family, she and her pregnant daughter developed severe symptoms. “When we went to hospital, they told us to boil water before using it for consumption. That’s when we realized that it was caused by the water because a lot of people in our area started experiencing the same problem,” she said.
Fear is spreading through the neighbourhoods. “We are even scared to cook now because when we use the same water to cook, we experience stomach pains,” another resident stated, adding that children have been ill for a week. “We are now even scared that one of us might pass away if the problem persists.”
One grandmother recounted a doctor’s visit where she was told she was consuming a harmful bacteria. “Myself, my grandchildren, and a child have experienced the same thing. We can’t afford buying water. Our only hope is to boil the water before using it,” she said.
In response to the crisis, the Polokwane Municipality confirmed that an air quality test detected problems at one of its boreholes. A municipal spokesperson stated that teams are working to resolve the issue and restore clean water.
“We can confirm that the issue is isolated to that specific source,” the spokesperson said. “Immediate remedial measures were implemented, including the cleansing of the system and continuous flushing to safeguard the network.”
The spokesperson added that the municipality is investigating the root cause and implementing corrective actions. “All efforts remain directed towards protecting the health and wellbeing of our residents and that is our foremost priority,” the statement concluded.
Despite these assurances, residents remain deeply worried, calling for transparent communication and swift action to ensure the safety of the municipal water supply.