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EFF opens criminal case against Tshwane mayor over water crisis

Published

The EFF wants Mayor Nasiphi Moya to resign after contaminated water in Bronkhorstspruit made more than 400 people ill, mostly children under four. ActionSA, which governs Tshwane with the EFF, says the EFF cannot play opposition while holding executive posts.

The EFF also opened a case against city manager Johann Mettler. It lodged complaints with the South African Human Rights Commission and the public protector. Investigations found the Bronkhorstspruit water treatment works ran without chlorination from September 24 to October 14.

EFF elections spokesperson Thembi Msane said the party holds the mayor personally liable for a preventable failure of coordination and resourcing. The EFF said the city failed to treat water after a supplier raised its prices. It also said the city had been warned to balance water services against paying debt to Eskom and Rand Water. The party called for a formal investigation into an alleged water tanker mafia.

ActionSA called the EFF stance hypocrisy and total madness. Its Tshwane spokesperson Henriette Frohlich said the EFF is entitled to demand accountability. She said neither of the EFF's two mayoral committee members joined the mayor and senior officials in meetings with affected communities this week. The EFF holds the environment and health portfolios in the city.

Key facts

Who
Nasiphi Moya (Executive mayor of Tshwane, ActionSA); Johann Mettler (City manager of Tshwane); Thembi Msane (EFF elections spokesperson); Henriette Frohlich (ActionSA Tshwane spokesperson)
What
The EFF opened a criminal case against Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya and city manager Johann Mettler, lodged complaints with the SAHRC and public protector, and called for Moya's resignation. ActionSA responded that the EFF cannot act as an opposition party while holding executive portfolios tied to the crisis.
When
21 October 2026
Where
Bronkhorstspruit, City of Tshwane
Status
Reported

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