80 children die from tap water (article by The Star, published Apr 23, 2008)
Nearly 80 children have died in an Eastern Cape district over three months, while the authorities sat on an explosive report that largely blamed deadly tap water for the spate of deaths. An official health report pointed to a breakdown in a water purification works in October last year and called for urgent action — but no action has been taken.
Now the health emergency is spreading. Bhisho health officials confirmed yesterday that another 62 children, ranging from infants to primary school children, had died in similar circumstances in neighbouring Sterkspruit.
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Govt blamed for looming water crisis (article by SAPA, published Feb 2, 2008)
South Africa is on the brink of a water contamination crisis, potentially as bad as the electricity fiasco of the past few weeks.
The alarming report has the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) confirming evidence of contaminated crops and water, and has acted to protect people and livestock, the newspaper said.
