GAUTENG — The escalating Bronkhorstspruit water crisis has triggered a comprehensive Public Protector investigation into the City of Tshwane, following a severe surge in gastrointestinal illnesses and widespread allegations of municipal maladministration.
The probe by the Public Protector of South Africa (PPSA) was initiated to examine claims of improper conduct and prejudice against the municipality regarding the contamination of the local water supply. The health emergency in the area was sparked after residents consumed tainted water originating from the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works (BWTW), resulting in 408 reported cases of gastrointestinal illness. Tragically, the majority of those affected are children under the age of four.
The formal inquiry was prompted by complaints lodged by key political spokespersons representing affected constituents. Omphile Maotwe, a Member of Parliament and Treasurer-General for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), alongside Willie Spies, the regional leader for the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), brought the municipal failures to the PPSA’s attention.
In her official complaint, Maotwe alleged that the City of Tshwane failed to properly chlorinate the water supplied to residents by the BWTW between 24 September and 14 October 2026. Furthermore, she accused the municipality of neglecting to warn the public that the water was unsafe for human consumption during this critical window. Maotwe also highlighted that the City had completely run out of chlorine, a shortage reportedly caused by ongoing difficulties with its chlorine supplier.
Echoing these concerns, Spies urged the PPSA to thoroughly investigate the alleged maladministration and improper conduct within the City’s water management structures. His complaint specifically pointed to a failure to escalate critical operational information to senior management, inadequate oversight at the treatment plant, and the dangerous omission of public safety warnings regarding the water’s quality.
In response to the complaints, PPSA investigators conducted an on-site visit to the BWTW. The objective of the visit was to verify the allegations made by the party spokespersons and to assess the interim measures currently being utilized to protect the community from unsafe water.
During the site inspection, the investigation team was informed that the BWTW has been temporarily decommissioned. This interim measure was implemented to allow for the thorough cleaning and disinfection of the entire water reticulation system. To mitigate the immediate impact on the community, the municipality has deployed water tankers to supply safe drinking water to affected residents.
Moving forward, the PPSA has outlined its immediate next steps. As an initial procedural measure, the office will formally approach the Tshwane City Manager to demand an official response to the allegations and to facilitate the broader investigation. Concurrently, the PPSA has committed to working directly with the Bronkhorstspruit community to closely monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the City’s interim water provision measures until a permanent resolution is achieved.
