Cholera, polio fears spark Grootfontein cleaning drive

Prime Minister Dr Elijah Ngurare has ordered a comprehensive clean-up campaign in several informal settlements in Grootfontein following reports of suspected cholera and polio cases in the area.

Ngurare's directive follows his visit to the town on Friday to assess the extent of the outbreaks, touring the informal settlements of Kap en Boc, Blikkiesdorp, Soweto and Omulunga informal settlements.

The prime minister observed unhygienic and unsafe living conditions that posed a serious public health risk, officials said.

In response, he has instructed the ministries of finance, health, urban and rural development, and education to jointly implement an urgent and coordinated cleaning campaign in the affected areas.

The campaign will be carried out through food-for-work and cash-for-work programmes, with a strong focus on engaging unemployed youth from the Otjozondjupa region. Regional offices have been tasked with executing the initiative on the ground.

In addition to the informal settlements, the cleaning operation will cover Grootfontein District Hospital, surrounding schools, and primary health care clinics to help reduce the risk of disease transmission.

The prime minister has ordered that a detailed report on the operation must be submitted to him by 20 February.

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