ID MP Lance Greyling, who has recently returned from constituency work in the Eastern Cape, has called on the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry 'to drill boreholes in villages across the former Transkei.'

The call comes after 80 babies died in Ukhahlamba District Municipality, allegedly from contaminated tap water.

'The tragedy that has occurred in Ukhahlamba, which actually has tap water, points to a far wider tragedy that is playing itself out throughout the villages of the Eastern Cape, most of whom rely on contaminated streams and cattle drinking holes for drinking water,' Mr Greyling says.

'Over a period of six months six children have died in one small village in the Elliotdale municipality as a result of being forced to drink water from cattle drinking holes contaminated with E.Coli.

'The Amathole District Municipality has already stated that they would need at least an additional R1.1 billion, over and above the R400 million they have been allocated, to provide clean water to all households,' says Greyling.

'It is clear to the ID that an emergency plan must be implemented to prevent any more of our children dying from water-borne diseases.

'At the very least, boreholes should be drilled in villages across the former Transkei. The ID believes that clean water is, as per our Constitution, a basic human right for every South African and especially our children,' Greyling says.

'The ID also wants strong action to be taken against those officials in the Ukuhlamba District Municipality who ignored reports that the water was contaminated.'