Vaal River in Parys tests positive for cholera

JOHANNESBURG - Water samples collected from the Vaal River in Parys have detected cholera.

The Envirocare Laboratory confirmed these results.

READ: E.coli detected in Makana municipality water

Civic group AfriForum approached the lab.

The first cholera death has now been recorded in the Free State.

READ: Authorities struggle to identify source of cholera outbreak

This now brings the total number of deaths from the waterborne disease to 22, with Gauteng accounting for 21 deaths.

AfriForum is calling for more tests to be conducted to determine the quality of the water, primarily in the Vaal River.

It says for years now it's been fighting government for access to clean water.