CAPE TOWN - Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health is calling for broader accountability over the Bronkhorstspruit water crisis, saying the suspension of one official is not enough.
Committee chairperson Faith Muthambi said those responsible across the City of Tshwane’s management and political leadership structures must also be held accountable.
The municipality has admitted that residents were not warned that the water supplied to them was untreated, raising concerns about public safety and communication during the crisis.
More than 400 cases of gastrointestinal illness have been reported in Tshwane since the beginning of the month, most involving children under the age of four.
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“We are concerned as Parliament to say there has to be accountability. Suspending the plant operator is not enough,” Muthambi said, arguing that responsibility extends to managers and politicians tasked with oversight.
On Friday, the City of Tshwane confirmed the suspension of the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works plant manager and ordered a further independent investigation.
Meanwhile, the Department of Water and Sanitation has opened criminal cases over alleged violations of environmental and water legislation, including the National Environmental Management Act and the National Water Act.
Muthambi welcomed the legal action and urged the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to act swiftly against those found responsible.
She questioned why accountability appeared to be focused on one individual when water provision involves multiple levels of responsibility, from plant operators and their managers to municipal political office-bearers.
“This is the whole value chain. Why isolate one person?” she asked, stressing that accountability must extend to the municipality’s broader leadership.
Muthambi also questioned whether sufficient action had been taken to address longstanding water-quality problems in Tshwane.
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She said the Department of Water and Sanitation had previously issued notices warning the municipality about water-quality concerns and the need for corrective action.
The municipality subsequently submitted an action plan, with deadlines reportedly set for May, July and August.
However, Muthambi said a report presented to the committee indicated that the required measures had not been implemented as expected.