Chlorine leak at Water Treatment Plant causes health scare in eMalahleni
Among others, areas such as eMalahleni Extension 16, 10, 5, 7 and 12 were affected.
The Emalahleni Local Municipality has confirmed that the strange odour reported in eMalahleni Ext 16, Ext 12, Ext 5, Ext 10 and surrounding areas earlier today was caused by a chlorine leak at the Witbank Water Treatment Plant.
The incident occurred in the early hours of today, August 7.
Residents first raised alarms in the morning after detecting a strong odour across large parts of the community.
Emergency services, including the fire department and disaster management teams, were immediately dispatched to investigate.
Learners treated at local school
Technical teams on site swiftly contained the leak, with municipal officials emphasising that the situation was managed quickly to minimise risk to residents, schools, and businesses.
As a precaution, nearby schools such as Laerskool Taalfees and Robert Carruthers School asked parents to collect their children while the incident was being assessed.
At Laerskool Taalfees, Legacy Medical Services, Langamed Emergency Management, Bophelo Ambulance Services, ER24 and the provincial ambulance services were on scene, and it was confirmed that they treated 60 learners on-site, while six were taken to hospital for further care.
Prompt emergency response praised
Taalfees school principal Tienie Prinsloo praised the co-ordinated response, saying it was heartwarming to see emergency personnel and role players assemble immediately at the emergency point.
“We thank everyone for the prompt response this morning,” Prinsloo said.
Attempts to reach municipal spokesperson Lebo Mofokeng for further comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
Authorities have assured residents that the chlorine leak was contained and investigations are under way to determine the exact cause.
The municipality reiterated that community safety remains its highest priority and promised to provide updates as more information becomes available.
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