Hammanskraal water ‘safe to drink’

last year the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) investigated complaints by Hammanskraal residents that the water was filthy and contaminated with bacteria.

The city has since paid a visit to the Hammanskraal water treatment plant, where the mayor was taken through the water treatment process.

Mokgalapa says the municipality had also requested an independent authority, Magalies Water, to conduct a test on the water. The results showed the water was 94,79 % compliant.

He adds that he drank the water himself and is confident to say that the water is safe for human consumption. 

"This is over and above the fact that the city embarked on an independent and credible test which confirmed compliance after receiving a highly suspicious complaint from the Department of Water and Sanitation and the South African Human Rights Commission regarding the quality of water supplied to the Hammanskraal area.”

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Mokgalapa says the city attempted to engage with the local community on Tuesday, but the meeting was disrupted by people dressed in ANC t-shirts.

"Unfortunately, it was abruptly disrupted by a few hooligans, but we will do another follow-up meeting where we will go and report back to the people of Hammanskraal.

"What we are cautioning is the politicians like Premier (David) Makhura and the Department of Water and Sanitation to stop politicising this matter, it is a very important matter.

"It's creating a lot of unnecessary panic and tension to the community of Hammanskraal when politicians always go there and indicate that the water is not fit for consumption."