This comes in the wake of the cholera outbreak declared by the Gauteng MEC for Health yesterday.

Initially, the sampling of water was going to be confined to the Rooiwal hydrant only, but a decision was taken to expand sampling to all the hydrants and water tankers supplying water to the informal and formal areas in and around Hammanskraal. Tests will also be done on the Temba Waste Water Treatment Plant.

The average period to get the test results of sampled water from laboratories is three days.

The City will intensify its food safety campaign, which includes, but is not limited to, how to hygienically prepare, transport and store food in the Hammanskraal area.

Yesterday, the Gauteng Department of Health announced an outbreak of cholera in Hammanskraal and surrounding areas after the release of positive cholera test results for stool samples that were collected from 19 patients who had presented at the Jubilee District Hospital.

To date, 12 people have been confirmed dead, 99 are being managed at the emergency unit and 37 have been admitted to wards.

The City of Tshwane is working closely with the Gauteng Department of Health to limit the mortality rate and to reduce the spread of the disease.