BRONKHORSTSPRUIT - A political blame game has erupted over the Bronkhorstspruit water crisis, leaving sick residents stuck with broken promises instead of clean water.
Residents and civil society groups are demanding answers for the more than 430 cases of stomach-related illnesses that have been reported.
A resident, Carnesta de Jager, says years of promises from councillors have failed to deliver solutions.
Meanwhile, the City of Tshwane has resumed adding chlorine to Bronkhorstspruit water.
READ | Bronkhorstspruit Water Crisis: Tshwane deploys 36 water tankers
But it says its warning that residents should avoid using the water for drinking, cleaning, or washing remains in place.
That's because untreated water could still be in reservoirs and pipes.
The system needs to be flushed.
The city has been blasted for failing to warn residents that their water was unsafe.
READ | Over 400 ill after Tshwane failed to chlorinate Bronkhorstspruit's water
An investigation found that water from the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works (BWTW) was unchlorinated from 24 September to 14 October after the city experienced issues with its chlorine supplier.
More than 400 cases of gastrointestinal illness have been reported in the area since early this month. Most of those affected are under the age of four.
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said corroborated water quality tests found extremely high levels of E.coli and total coliforms in the water emanating from the treatment plant.