The Sekhukhune district municipality and water affairs department officials have warned residents living along the Tubatse River outside Burgersfort not to use the river water because of the presence of cholera in the water.

Yesterday a joint operations teams comprising health, municipal and water affairs officials were inspecting water facilities and sources at the affected places in preparation for emergency measures.

The district municipality, spokesperson Willy Mosoma, said: “Vibrio cholera (bacteria which causes cholera) was discovered in Tubatse River stretching from the De Hoop dam.

“Several villages including Taung, Maseven, Matokomani, Ga-Motodi, Ga-Malekana and many others are affected. Thousands of people can be infected or lose their lives if we don’t act swiftly. This is very serious.”

Mosoma said routine tests on water treatment plants came out positive for cholera on Tuesday.

The provincial health department’s, Sinenhlanhla Gumede said yesterday hospitals in the province were ready to deal with any outbreak of the waterborne disease. “We have no cases of cholera reported in our health facilities this year up to this stage.”

The district municipality said the preventative interim measures taken include deploying 10 water tankers to supply villagers with drinking water.

Symptoms of cholera infections include severe stomach cramps and diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration.

Health authorities said that the disease was infectious and advise people to wash their hands regularly, especially after visiting the loo.

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