City of Tshwane under investigation for Bronkhorstspruit water crisis

The City of Tshwane is facing investigation following a water crisis in Bronkhorstspruit, where the failure to disinfect drinking water led to 833 people contracting a gastrointestinal illness. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) reported that the municipality failed to notify the national department within the legally required 12-hour window after stopping disinfection processes.

Dr. Sean Phillips, DWS Director-General, stated that the municipality continued to supply untreated water for three weeks despite knowing the source, the Bronkhorstspruit River, was heavily contaminated with sewage from dysfunctional pumping stations and upstream wastewater works. The DWS is working with law enforcement and the ‘Blue Scorpions’—investigators empowered under the National Environmental Management Act—to finalize an investigation by early November.

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina confirmed that the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment plant currently has enough chlorine to last six to seven weeks, with Rand Water assisting in procurement efforts. The plant manager has been suspended. Majodina also noted that South Africa’s water infrastructure requires approximately R400 billion in investment to address aging systems and unreliable distribution.