PRETORIA - Deputy Water and Sanitation Minister David Mahlobo says the City of Tshwane was repeatedly warned about possible water contamination but failed to implement all the recommended corrective measures.
More than 800 people have reportedly fallen ill with gastroenteritis following failures to properly treat contaminated water supplied by the metro.
Mahlobo says Tshwane’s water treatment works were flagged in 2023 after concerns emerged in the government’s Blue Drop and Green Drop assessments, which monitor drinking water quality and wastewater management.
According to the deputy minister, the city submitted a corrective action plan and addressed some of the concerns but failed to resolve others.
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He says further warnings were issued earlier this year after officials raised concerns about the quality of water leaving the treatment works.
Records indicate that between 24 September and 14 October, the city failed to carry out basic chemical treatment of water sourced from polluted water bodies.
The untreated water allegedly entered the supply system, contributing to hundreds of reported gastroenteritis cases.
The department has since opened a case over alleged professional negligence by some employees, with Mahlobo saying the incident created a public health hazard and raised concerns about the violation of human rights.
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“Our Blue Drop and Green Drop results have indicated that many municipalities are struggling, including Tshwane. The water treatment works of Tshwane; we did flag this water treatment works in the year 2023 when we released the results. They produced a corrective plan, they did certain things, they couldn't conclude others.
“Earlier this year, we also did the same and then also gave them warnings that the water that is coming out is not there, is not good,” Mahlabo added.