It prompted officials to do bilharzia tests and 127 learners tested positive for the infectious disease caused by a parasite worm that lives in fresh water in subtropical and tropical regions. It also led to dissatisfaction in the village and the community with suspicions of a wider outbreak than only the school.

According to the chairperson of the school governing body (SGB), Amanda Mondlane, although it is not yet known where the infections originated from, it is suspected that a borehole providing drinking water to the school as well as the nearby Richidzelo River is the source. She says it may be that these water sources are contaminated with sewage.

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Mondlane says they do not want to draw unverified conclusions hence water samples have been sent for testing. Chrisma Bredenkamp, DA councillor in Tzaneen, visited the school on Friday and confirmed that the situation at the school has returned to normal. “I have ordered testing kits to test the water in the borehole, and as soon as we get them we will do the testing.

Sewage is flowing from the Richidzelo River into the Letsitele River which causes people in the village to get ill, they are just not yet aware of it,” she said. Signs of bilharzia include fever, itchiness, blotchy and raised rash, coughing, diarrhea, stomach pain, and muscle and joint pain.