Three SAPS trainees test positive for cholera in Hammanskraal academy

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has started delivering bottled water to police trainees at the training academy in Hammanskraal, north of Tshwane after three tested positive for cholera.

National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola visited the SAPS training academy in Hammanskraal to assess the impact of the cholera outbreak and to put measures in place to ensure the well-being of the trainees.

POLICE TRAINEES TEST POSITIVE FOR CHOLERA

The delegation comprised of the Deputy National Commissioner for Policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, the Acting Deputy National Commissioner for Support Services, Lieutenant General Lineo Ntshiea, the Divisional Commissioner for Human Resource Development, Lieutenant General (Dr) Bongiwe Zulu, the Component Head: In-Service Development Training, Major General Hendrick Chauke, and senior officers from the Component: Employee Health and Wellness.

The Hammanskraal training academy is currently accommodating around 469 police trainees who are undergoing various detective training programmes.

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SAPS spokesperson, Major General Mathapelo Peters said police can confirm that about 71 trainees on Thursday, 18 May 2023 underwent tests for cholera conducted by officials from the Department of Health.

Three trainees tested positive and only one has been hospitalised for further medical treatment, while the rest were treated for minor symptoms. Academy personnel are monitoring the situation closely for any other infections.

Peters said to this extent, a water purification system has been installed for the benefit of trainees and personnel, while taking precaution against the consumption of tap water amidst reports of water contamination in the Hammanskraal area.

“This system is tested every quarter with regular water sampling conducted by the City of Tshwane, whose last visit was on 18 May 2023. The latest results are yet to be obtained from the City of Tshwane,” she said.

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RESIDENTS URGED NOT TO DRINK TAP WATER

The death toll has increased to 20. The City of Tshwane confirmed that it took samples in various sites around Hammanskraal and the results were negative for E.coli and cholera, however, residents were still warned not to use the tap water for drinking purposes.

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This article was originally published by NOKWANDA NCWANE.