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ActionSA welcomes the announcement on Friday by its Tshwane Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, that an independent investigation is under way in the City of Tshwane to identify those responsible for the failures that led to unchlorinated water being supplied to residents of Bronkhorstspruit.

The party has written to Mayor Moya, urging her to ensure that investigators examine specifically whether the actions or inactions of officials responsible for this crisis were politically motivated.

This engagement with Mayor Moya arises directly from information received by the party indicating that a number of officials implicated in this saga are publicly associated with particular political parties. This raises serious concerns about whether political motivations played a role in the failure to prevent unchlorinated water from being supplied to residents or to report the chlorine shortage to the relevant City authorities so shortly before the elections.

Political parties have been quick to politick on this crisis, given its timing ahead of the elections, and have desperately tried to place the blame at Mayor Moya's feet, as though the Mayor's duties involve chlorine deliveries. Coalition partners such as the ANC and EFF have attempted to deflect attention from the fact that they have MMCs responsible for key portfolios much closer to the matters at hand, while the DA has ambulance-chased the crisis, even alleging a cholera outbreak despite no such cases being confirmed. The possibility that political interests may have influenced the actions or inactions of municipal officials in creating or contributing to this crisis warrants investigation.

During Friday’s parliamentary oversight committee meeting with Mayor Moya, DA MPs falsely claimed that people were falling ill at health facilities in Pretoria’s CBD, a claim that the Minister of Health correctly clarified was unfounded.

Despite the shameful politicking surrounding this crisis, ActionSA commends Mayor Nasiphi Moya for the leadership she has demonstrated. Mayor Moya stood up and took responsibility, which her opponents have tried to mischaracterise as culpability, and has worked in affected communities day and night alongside national and provincial government to address the crisis. She has ensured that the City has responded with every possible measure available to it, and ActionSA anticipates that the water will be declared safe to drink again in the coming days. This is the quality of leadership needed to continue the progress being made in Tshwane, rather than the political point-scoring that has characterised the response of her opponents.

ActionSA looks forward to the City identifying the officials responsible for this crisis and holding them accountable, along with any covert political interests that may have played a role, in keeping with the commitment to accountability that has become a hallmark of Mayor Moya's tenure in Tshwane.

Issued by ActionSA National Chairperson Michael Beaumont