Deputy minister Bloom demands probe into Bronkhorstspruit water crisis
Deputy Water and Sanitation Minister Jack Bloom says accountability for the Bronkhorstspruit water contamination goes beyond the plant manager. More than 800 people fell ill, and Bloom wants political accountability as well.
Bloom spoke on the sidelines of a review of the national strategic water framework in Boksburg on Tuesday. He said chlorine was not available for three weeks. He said it took many failures at many levels for that to happen.
Bloom also said the problem extends beyond Bronkhorstspruit. He said the Tshwane CBD has problems linked to a lack of chlorine. The plant manager has been suspended.
The crisis is linked to the City of Tshwane's failure to chlorinate water at the Bronkhorstspruit Treatment Works. Unnamed sources allege a dispute with the chlorine supplier over a price increase. It is also understood that the plant drew water from a river already polluted by sewage, while pumps and sand filters malfunctioned.
Key facts
- Who
- Jack Bloom (Deputy Water and Sanitation Minister); Tshwane mayor (mentioned in related article link only; cautions parties against using the…); City of Tshwane (municipality whose treatment works failed to chlorinate water); Bronkhorstspruit Treatment Works (treatment works linked to the contamination)
- What
- More than 800 people fell ill after drinking contaminated water in Bronkhorstspruit, linked to the City of Tshwane's failure to chlorinate water at the Bronkhorstspruit Treatment Works for three weeks. Bloom called for a full investigation and political accountability, and the plant manager has been suspended.
- When
- 27 October 2026
- Where
- Bronkhorstspruit, Boksburg, Tshwane CBD
- Status
- Reported