PRETORIA - The Department of Water and Sanitation says the City of Tshwane failed to warn residents that their water was unsafe.
An investigation found that water supplied by the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works went without chlorination from 24 September to 14 October.
READ: Bronkhorstspruit Water Crisis: Tshwane deploys 36 water tankers
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina says the investigation found that Tshwane had experienced difficulties with its chlorine supplier.
The treatment plant draws water from the Bronkhorstspruit River, which is affected by a dysfunctional wastewater treatment works upstream in Victor Khanye Municipality, as well as dysfunctional sewage pump stations in Tshwane.
READ: Over 400 ill after Tshwane failed to chlorinate Bronkhorstspruit's water
More than 400 cases of gastrointestinal illness have been reported in the metro.
Residents in Tshwane’s Region Seven have been warned against using tap water for drinking, cooking or washing.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance has accused the metro’s administration of neglecting the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works.
Former Tshwane mayor Clint Brink has alleged that the neglect was linked to efforts to profit from water tanker contracts.
Mayor Nasiphi Moya has rejected the allegations, accusing Brink of exploiting the crisis for political gain and misleading the public.
Moya says he is fuelling fears of another cholera outbreak without adequately explaining the scientific findings.