Kamogelo Moichela|Published
President Cyril Ramaphosa has apologised to Tshwane residents affected by the Bronkhorstspruit water contamination crisis, which recorded at least 408 cases of gastrointestinal illness.
Speaking during his campaign trail in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, Ramaphosa said national intervention became necessary after the City of Tshwane failed to ensure proper water treatment.
“We are very sorry that it has resulted in the challenge of gastrointestinal illness that has affected a number of people,” he said.
The outbreak was recorded between October 7 and 18 across Bronkhorstspruit, Zithobeni, Ekandustria and surrounding communities.
The crisis followed the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant’s operation without chlorine from September 24 to October 14 because of a supply shortage.
Raw sewage pollution in the Bronkhorstspruit River compounded concerns about water safety.
Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya acknowledged shortcomings in the municipality’s response and said Rand Water had advised isolating and shutting down the plant’s water supply.
The municipality has since engaged Rand Water to help accelerate rehabilitation and upgrades at the facility.
“Our immediate priority is to restore access to clean, safe drinking water for affected communities,” Moya said, adding that the planned improvements must secure a reliable, sustainable supply.
Ramaphosa said the government had established the National Water Crisis Committee to co-ordinate a response and ensure residents regain access to safe drinking water.
“We now have to intervene and make sure that people have safe drinking water… That is why we set up the National Water Crisis Committee,” he said.
The government said it is working towards a solution in the coming days.
However, the immediate challenge remains restoring safe water access while addressing the treatment failures that preceded the outbreak.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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