Hope Ntanzi|Published
The Public Protector of South Africa has launched an investigation into the City of Tshwane over allegations that it failed to chlorinate water supplied to Bronkhorstspruit residents and warn them that it was unsafe, after 408 people fell ill.
The investigation follows complaints lodged on Wednesday by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) treasurer-general and Member of Parliament Omphile Maotwe, and Freedom Front Plus regional leader Willie Spies.
In her complaint, Maotwe alleged that the City failed to chlorinate water supplied by the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant between September 24 and October 14.
She further alleged that the City failed to warn residents that the water was unsafe for consumption during this period, resulting in 408 people falling ill, most of them children under the age of four. She also alleged that the City ran out of chlorine because of difficulties with its supplier.
The crisis affected Bronkhorstspruit and surrounding communities, including Zithobeni, Dark City, Rethabiseng and Sokhulumi.
A joint investigation by health authorities, the Department of Water and Sanitation and the City of Tshwane found that contaminated water from the treatment works was the likely source of the illnesses. Water tests also detected extremely high levels of E. coli and total coliforms.
Spies called on the Public Protector to investigate alleged maladministration and improper conduct by the City, including the alleged failure to escalate critical information to senior management, inadequate oversight at the treatment plant and the failure to warn residents about the safety of their water.
Water treatment plant decommissioned
Following receipt of Maotwe’s complaint, a Public Protector investigation team visited the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant to verify the allegations and establish what interim measures had been put in place to protect residents from unsafe water.
The office said the team was informed that the plant had been decommissioned as an interim measure “to facilitate the cleaning and disinfection of the entire water system”.
The team was also advised that “water tankers would be deployed to supply water to the affected community”.
The City closed the plant on October 14 after the chlorine supply disruption. Although chlorine supplies were restored the following day and the plant resumed supplying the distribution system on October 16, residents were told the water was not yet safe to drink.
City manager to be approached
The Public Protector said it would initially approach the Tshwane city manager for a formal response to the allegations and further investigation.
“Meanwhile, the PPSA will work with the Bronkhorstspruit community to monitor the implementation of the City’s interim water provision measures,” the office said.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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