By Nangamso Mabindla
18 January 2005

CONCERNED about a recent outbreak of hepatitis virus and poor sanitation in certain sections of the city, Buffalo City mayor Sindisile Maclean has called on a one-day lekgotla to discuss the key issues of health and hygiene.

The meeting, to take place on Monday, 25 January, will look at the best ways to tackle the problem of illness - particularly water-borne diseases - and sanitation.

"These issues will be fully discussed by the political leadership of the City at this mayoral committee lekgotla," says director in the office of the mayor, Matthew Moonieya.

"We want to fight these potential dangers to our city," he adds.

The mayor's call follows a report in local newspaper, the Daily Dispatch, that a Buffalo Flats boy died from hepatitis as a result of the municipality allegedly pumping raw untreated sewage into the Buffalo River.

The City investigated allegations that the pump station in Zwelitsha was causing the health hazard. According to Moonieya, it was not possible the hepatitis virus originated via the Zwelitsha station, which is in King William's Town, about 50 kilometres from Buffalo Flats in East London.

In addition, Moonieya pointed out, "we have scientific evidence proving that there is nothing wrong with the Zwelitsha pump station - it can handle the volume of sewage from the surrounding areas."

While there was no evidence to link the outbreak of hepatitis to the municipality, Moonieya said, this was no reason for complacency - hence the call for a lekgotla.

"There have been over 50 cases of hepatitis identified from tests taken between 11 and 12 January, but not only in Buffalo City," the director said. "Other towns around us have been reporting the same problems."