MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
21 October 2026
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is deeply concerned by the water contamination crisis in Bronkhorstspruit, which has reportedly resulted in 408 cases of gastrointestinal illness between 7 and 18 October 2026. The incident raises serious questions about the protection of public health, the reliability of municipal water services and the accountability of those responsible for ensuring access to safe drinking water.
Reports indicate that water from the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works was supplied without chlorination between 24 September and 14 October 2026. Subsequent testing identified extremely high levels of E. coli and total coliforms in samples from the treatment works and affected reservoirs. These findings point to serious failures in water treatment and public-health safeguards that require urgent attention.
FEDUSA is particularly concerned about the impact on working-class households, who are often least equipped to absorb the financial consequences of a public-service failure. Families should not have to choose between buying safe drinking water, putting food on the table, paying for transport or covering medical expenses. Workers and caregivers may also face additional pressure when they have to care for sick family members or take time away from work.
The crisis must also be understood within the broader context of South Africa’s water and sanitation challenges. The Department of Water and Sanitation’s 2023 Blue Drop Report found that 46% of assessed water supply systems had poor or bad microbiological compliance, compared with 5% in 2014. The 2023 No Drop Report recorded national non-revenue water at 47%, while the Green Drop Progress Assessment found that 64% of wastewater treatment works were at high or critical risk.
These figures underline the urgent need for stronger oversight, effective infrastructure maintenance, reliable water-treatment operations and improved wastewater management. Access to safe water cannot be treated as a privilege or an optional municipal service. It is essential to public health, human dignity and the wellbeing of workers and their families.
FEDUSA supports calls by the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) for accountability and decisive action. We further call on the City of Tshwane and the relevant authorities to:
- Guarantee access to safe drinking water: Maintain reliable emergency water supplies for all affected communities until the water is formally declared safe for use.
- Communicate transparently: Publish water-quality test results, provide regular public updates and issue clear guidance on when the water can safely be used for drinking, cooking, bathing and other household needs.
- Ensure accountability: Make the findings of the independent investigation public and take appropriate action where negligence, misconduct or non-compliance is established.
- Protect affected households: Address the additional financial burden on residents, including the question of charges for water that was unsafe to use.
- Invest in sustainable solutions: Resolve the infrastructure, procurement, treatment and wastewater-management failures that contributed to the crisis, with effective monitoring to prevent a recurrence.
FEDUSA emphasises that restoring water supply alone is not sufficient. Residents must receive credible confirmation that the water is safe before restrictions are lifted. Public confidence can only be restored through transparent testing, clear communication and demonstrable improvements in service delivery.
The federation also calls for particular attention to children, older persons, people with disabilities and households with limited financial resources, who may face heightened risks during a prolonged water emergency.
The people of Bronkhorstspruit deserve answers, safe water and assurance that the failures exposed by this crisis will be addressed. FEDUSA will continue to advocate for public services that protect workers, uphold human dignity and serve communities reliably and equitably.
ENDS
For media enquiries, contact:
Betty Moleya
FEDUSA Media and Communications
063 736 5533
For interviews:
Riefdah Ajam
FEDUSA General Secretary
079 696 2625
Ashley Benjamin
FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary
083 258 4433