REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF POTENTIAL CRIMINAL OFFENCES LEADING TO THE DEATH OF THREE INFANTS FROM DRINKING WATER CONTAMINATION AT BLOEMHOF, NORTHWEST

The Centre for Environmental Rights has called for a criminal investigation into water contamination in Bloemhof, Northwest, following an outbreak of diarrhoeal disease that caused hundreds of illnesses and the deaths of three infants under two years of age. The request targets potential culpable homicide and violations of the National Water Act, Water Services Act, and National Environmental Management Act, specifically citing the alleged negligence of the Lekwa Teemane Municipal Manager and a contractor regarding sewage spillage.

• Between May 24 and May 27, 2014, approximately 200 people reported to clinics with symptoms of water contamination, including vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea. This included over 100 children at Thuto Lore Secondary School in Boitumelong, leading to the school's closure on May 26, 2014.
• Three infants under the age of two died from diarrhoea complicated by dehydration. The victims included 9-month-old Lehlonolo Sehau, and two other babies aged 7 months and 13 months (the latter identified as Onalenna Mogoregi).
• The contamination is linked to sewage spillage. Municipal Manager Andrew Makuapane attributed the issue to a contractor in Extension Five in Boitumelong who abandoned work to fix the problem due to protest riots. The Northwest Premier subsequently suspended Makuapane on charges of "dereliction of duty and negligence".
• The National Institute of Communicable Diseases confirmed that laboratory testing of stool samples excluded cholera as the cause of the outbreak, though results for other bacteria, viruses, and parasites remained pending as of June 2, 2014.
• The Centre for Environmental Rights identifies potential criminal liability for the Municipal Manager, the contractor, overseeing municipal employees, and those responsible for notifying residents. They cite potential offences under the National Water Act (1998), Water Services Act (1997), and National Environmental Management Act (1998), as well as culpable homicide.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (2014). REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF POTENTIAL CRIMINAL OFFENCES LEADING TO THE DEATH OF THREE INFANTS FROM DRINKING WATER CONTAMINATION AT BLOEMHOF, NORTHWEST. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/CER-Letter-to-SAPS-and-NPA-re-Bloemhof-water-contamination-and-deaths-4-June-2014.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF POTENTIAL CRIMINAL OFFENCES LEADING TO THE DEATH OF THREE INFANTS FROM DRINKING WATER CONTAMINATION AT BLOEMHOF, NORTHWEST. 2014. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/CER-Letter-to-SAPS-and-NPA-re-Bloemhof-water-contamination-and-deaths-4-June-2014.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF POTENTIAL CRIMINAL OFFENCES LEADING TO THE DEATH OF THREE INFANTS FROM DRINKING WATER CONTAMINATION AT BLOEMHOF, NORTHWEST |date=4 June 2014 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/CER-Letter-to-SAPS-and-NPA-re-Bloemhof-water-contamination-and-deaths-4-June-2014.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centreforenvironmentalrights2014request, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF POTENTIAL CRIMINAL OFFENCES LEADING TO THE DEATH OF THREE INFANTS FROM DRINKING WATER CONTAMINATION AT BLOEMHOF, NORTHWEST}}, publisher = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {2014}, month = jun, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/CER-Letter-to-SAPS-and-NPA-re-Bloemhof-water-contamination-and-deaths-4-June-2014.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }