While all eyes are on the typhoid-stricken area of Delmas, the IFP warns there are real risks of a similar breakout in KwaZulu-Natal.

"The authorities agree that the cause of the current typhoid epidemic in Delmas was sewage getting into the drinking water," said Inkosi Bonga Mdletshe MPP, IFP spokesperson on local government in KwaZulu-Natal. "This points to the responsibilities, and failings, of local government."

The IFP, having consulted its constituents across KwaZulu-Natal, is aware of cases of systematic, albeit unintentional, pollution of sewer systems in a number of local municipalities.

One example recently brought to the party's attention is that the residents of the vast area served by Midmar Dam in KwaZulu-Natal Midlands are generally unaware that during every peak rainy season the uMngeni Municipality discharges, apparently unintentionally, large quantities of raw sewage from the Mpophomeni river into Midmar Dam, the source of their drinking water.

This, it is believed, is caused by water ingress into the technically inferior joints in the pipeline conveying raw sewage from Mpophomeni to the uMngeni Municipal Sewerage Works.

"The relevant municipality must be held responsible for its actions. We would like to see them accept this responsibility before a possible epidemic breaks out in the area under their jurisdiction. The focus in such cases must be on prevention and solving of technical problems," said Inkosi Mdletshe.

The IFP invites its constituents to share their concerns about pollution of sewer systems in their municipalities.