- Opposition parties have opened criminal cases and lodged formal complaints against Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya over a water contamination crisis in Bronkhorstspruit
- More than 400 residents, mostly children, were hospitalised with gastroenteritis after water tests revealed E. coli, norovirus and other pathogens
- The FF Plus, DA and EFF are all pursuing separate legal and regulatory actions, with allegations of negligence and infrastructure failures at the centre of the dispute
Source: Getty Images
TSHWANE — The Public Protector has launched a formal investigation into alleged maladministration, misconduct and prejudice by the City of Tshwane in connection with the Bronkhorstspruit water crisis.
Three opposition parties have opened criminal cases and lodged formal complaints against Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya following a water contamination crisis in Bronkhorstspruit that left more than 400 residents, the majority of them children, hospitalised with gastroenteritis.
Water tests reportedly detected elevated levels of E. coli in the supply, along with pathogens including norovirus, Campylobacter and Shigella. Concerns were also raised about sewage pollution in the Bronkhorstspruit River and insufficient chlorination at the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant.
FF Plus lodges complaint with Public Protector
Freedom Front Plus councillor Willie Spies, who is also the party's Tshwane mayoral candidate, accused Moya and Mayoral Committee Member for Utilities Molatelo Mashola of negligence. Spies alleged both officials failed to ensure water was properly chlorinated and did not warn residents in time to stop using the supply for drinking, cooking or bathing.
Spies said the FF Plus had flagged the deteriorating condition of the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant as far back as 24 June 2026, but those concerns went unaddressed. He noted that Moya herself had acknowledged that senior leadership was not informed about the crisis promptly and that internal communication was inadequate.
The FF Plus subsequently lodged a complaint with the Public Protector over alleged maladministration and misconduct, and separately approached the Green Scorpions regarding the ongoing sewage pollution of the Bronkhorstspruit River. Spies said residents of Bronkhorstspruit, Zithobeni, Dark City, Rethabiseng and Sokhulumi were entitled to safe drinking water and accountability from city officials.
View X post by Pule Jones here:
DA and EFF open separate criminal cases
The Democratic Alliance opened a criminal case against the City of Tshwane at Pretoria Central police station. DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink said municipal records and information provided by whistleblowers pointed to significant failures at the city's water infrastructure. Brink alleged the plant had gone without chlorination for three weeks and claimed the city's ANC-ActionSA coalition repeatedly ignored warnings about its deteriorating condition.
The Economic Freedom Fighters announced plans to open a criminal case against Moya and the Tshwane city manager. EFF Treasurer-General and Tshwane mayoral candidate Omphile Maotwe is expected to lodge the case.
The complaints and criminal cases are intended to prompt formal investigations into the crisis and establish accountability. They do not, on their own, constitute a finding of criminal wrongdoing against Moya or the City of Tshwane.
Ramaphosa apologises for Bronkhorstspruit crisis
Briefly News also reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa has apologised to residents affected by the Bronkhorstspruit water contamination crisis. Ramaphosa announced that the government established the National Water Crisis Committee to co-ordinate the emergency response and work towards restoring access to safe drinking water for affected households.
Source: Briefly News