TZANEEN – Several swimmers were hospitalised on Saturday, February 1 after they got exposed to chlorine during the Limpopo Schools Championship at the Tzaneen Municipality Pool.

Advocate Franco Marx, DA member of the provincial legislature and spokesperson on sport, arts and culture, has called on the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) and the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to launch a full investigation into the hospitalisation of the children to establish what went wrong, ensure accountability, and implement safeguards to prevent a recurrence.

“The incident occurred after inclement weather disrupted the functioning of the pool’s pumps, leading to the release of harmful gases. Despite concerns raised by some clubs, the competition proceeded the following day, raising serious questions about safety protocols, and decision-making processes,” Marx said.

“This incident underscores the urgent need for stronger preventative measures. After raising these safety concerns on Saturday with representatives of the Limpopo Swimming Federation that assisted the department in hosting the event, we were assured that the necessary safety protocol and further measures were put in place to continue the tournament on Sunday without any further incidents,” he said.

According to Marx, the DA will be engaging with all stakeholders to push for immediate interventions, including a comprehensive assessment of pool maintenance and safety procedures, clear emergency response protocols for similar incidents and collaboration with municipal officials to mitigate risks at public facilities.

“We urge affected families and concerned residents to come forward with any additional information that can assist in addressing this matter to prioritise the well-being of our young athletes. Notwithstanding this unfortunate incident, we are pleased that the provincial department fully supported these young swimmers during the tournament and encouraged the continued support of our young swimmers in Limpopo,” he added.

The Herald reached out to GTM spokesperson Vutivi Makhubele for comment. At the time of print, no response was received. An update will be published once received.