Following yesterday’s joint intergovernmental briefing on the Bronkhorstspruit water crisis, the City of Tshwane has made further progress in strengthening alternative water provision, accelerating technical interventions and expanding public awareness activities.
Today, I visited Dark City Clinic in Ekangala, Region 7, alongside senior City management and Ward 104 Councillor and Chair of Chairs, Cllr Oupa Matshaine, following yesterday’s engagements in Zithobeni. These visits have allowed us to engage directly with affected residents and healthcare workers, assess the response on the ground and ensure that communities receive the necessary support and information.
The latest reported figures show that new cases of gastrointestinal illness declined from a peak of 72 on 13 October to 16 on 18 October. Healthcare workers at Dark City Clinic have also reported fewer patients presenting with symptoms. While encouraging, our priority remains preventing further illness and restoring access to safe drinking water.
Alternative water provision and community awareness
As of today, 35 water tankers are operating across affected communities, comprising seven municipal vehicles and 28 service-provider vehicles. An additional tanker is expected tomorrow, bringing the total to the planned 36.
Safe drinking water continues to be supplied from the Cullinan Water Treatment Works, with regular testing of filling points and tankers, alongside cleaning and disinfection measures. Dedicated deliveries are also being made to critical institutions, including healthcare facilities and schools.
I would also like to thank Coca-Cola for supporting affected communities through the provision of a water tanker. Their contribution demonstrates the value of private-sector partnerships in strengthening our emergency response.
We are intensifying door-to-door public awareness activities and working with ward councillors and ward committees to coordinate tanker distribution and ensure residents know where to access safe drinking water.
Residents are reminded that tap water from the affected system remains unsafe for drinking, cooking, bathing or other household uses and must only be used for flushing toilets until further notice.
Accelerating rehabilitation of the treatment plant
Over the past 24 hours, we have continued working closely with Rand Water and the national Department of Water and Sanitation to accelerate the rehabilitation of the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works.
I can confirm that sufficient chlorine is now available for the cleaning of the plant and its ongoing treatment requirements. While this resolves the immediate supply interruption, further work is necessary before water from the plant can be declared safe for consumption.
Rand Water’s technical teams are already working at the plant, undertaking maintenance and assessing the interventions required to restore it to the necessary standards. Teams are working around the clock, with further water-quality results expected to inform the next phase of interventions.
The coming days will involve intensive technical work, which may require changes to plant operations, including a possible temporary shutdown to allow for equipment installation. Residents will be informed of any changes that may affect their water supply.
Rand Water has also introduced strict access controls at the treatment works, restricting entry to authorised personnel to allow urgent technical work to proceed safely and without disruption.
Flushing and disinfection of the affected distribution network are commencing, supported by daily water-quality monitoring by the City, the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Water Research Commission.
Our objective is to draw on Rand Water’s expertise and capacity to accelerate the necessary upgrades and restore clean, safe drinking water to affected communities as quickly as possible.
Accountability and preventing a recurrence
While the immediate response remains our priority, we are equally determined to establish what led to the interruption in chlorine supplies, why residents were not warned timeously and what measures are necessary to prevent a recurrence.
The Chief Operations Officer has been tasked with investigating these failures, including the procurement, operational and management processes involved, and why the interruption was not appropriately escalated and communicated to affected communities.
The investigation must establish accountability and recommend corrective action. Where negligence or misconduct is identified, the City will act decisively in accordance with the applicable disciplinary processes.
As Executive Mayor, I have accepted political responsibility for the City’s response to this crisis. However, political accountability must be accompanied by administrative accountability, particularly where residents’ health and safety are concerned.
Beyond individual accountability, we must strengthen the systems responsible for maintaining essential treatment supplies, monitoring water quality, escalating operational risks and communicating public-health threats. These safeguards are critical to preventing similar incidents.
The City will continue cooperating with the independent investigation by the Water Research Commission and national and provincial authorities to establish the circumstances of the contamination and inform the longer-term recovery programme.
Our commitment to residents
The progress made since yesterday’s briefing is encouraging, but substantial work remains before safe drinking water can be restored through the affected distribution system.
Our focus remains on preventing further illness, supporting affected communities, accelerating the rehabilitation of the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works and ensuring accountability for the failures identified.
Ultimately, our response must be measured not only by how we manage this crisis, but by the action we take to prevent it from happening again.
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