Government says contaminated water from the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works is the likely source of a gastrointestinal illness surge that affected 408 people between 7 and 18 October 2026.

The cases were reported across Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, Dark City, Rethabiseng and Sokhulumi in Tshwane’s Region 7. Patients have been treated at Bronkhorstspruit Hospital and surrounding clinics.

Laboratory tests detected several disease-causing organisms in patient samples. Water tests also found extremely high levels of E. coli and total coliforms in water from the treatment works and in the Ekandustria and Zithobeni reservoirs.

What laboratory tests found

According to Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases tested stool samples collected from patients. Norovirus, Campylobacter and Shigella were detected in three of the four specimens analysed, together with other pathogens associated with stomach cramps and diarrhoea.

No cholera bacteria were found in the patient samples. Tshwane Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya also said on Tuesday that cholera has not been identified as the cause of the illnesses.

Health authorities believe the combination of several pathogens and the rapid increase in cases points to a shared water source. Further samples are being collected to strengthen the evidence and determine whether a formal outbreak should be declared.

Water went unchlorinated for nearly three weeks

An investigation by the Department of Water and Sanitation found that problems with the chlorine supply resulted in unchlorinated water leaving the Bronkhorstspruit plant between 24 September and 14 October.

The department said residents were not warned that the water was unchlorinated and unsafe for normal household use. The plant was closed on 14 October. Chlorine supplies were restored the following day, and the facility reopened on 16 October. Residents were nevertheless advised that the water was still not suitable for drinking.

Water tankers have been delivering drinking water to affected communities. The City of Tshwane is increasing the fleet to 36 tankers, while municipal and national officials continue testing the supplied water.

What residents should do

Residents supplied by the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works should not use tap water for drinking, cooking, bathing, brushing their teeth, washing clothes or cleaning food.

  • Do not assume that boiling the affected tap water makes it safe.
  • Use tap water only for flushing toilets until authorities confirm it is safe.
  • Discard water that was stored before the warning.
  • Disinfect storage containers with household bleach before refilling them.
  • Keep tanker water in clean, covered containers.
  • Seek medical care promptly for diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting or other signs of illness.

People with symptoms should report suspected cases to their nearest healthcare facility or local health authority. Young children, older people and people with weakened immune systems can be more vulnerable to dehydration and complications.

Independent investigation under way

The Department of Water and Sanitation has appointed the Water Research Commission to conduct independent water-quality tests and investigate how contaminated water entered the supply system. Its report is expected by 28 October.

Accountability measures have also been initiated against those considered responsible for water pollution and failures to comply with water and sanitation standards.

Rand Water is being brought in to help address malfunctioning components and broader operational problems at the plant. Officials are assessing whether the facility should be isolated again while essential work is completed. There is currently no confirmed date for when residents will be able to drink water from the system safely.

More than R107 million committed

The City has spent about R21 million on the plant during the current financial year. Existing expenditure and planned allocations amount to more than R107 million over three years.

The investment is intended to address long-standing infrastructure deficiencies, improve reliability and restore the plant’s ability to supply safe water. The immediate priority, however, remains providing safe alternative water and preventing further illness.

The bottom line

The official findings indicate a serious failure in the treatment and communication chain. For affected residents, the safest course is to avoid using tap water for any purpose other than flushing toilets until government issues a clear all-safe notice.

Sources: South African Government News Agency; statement by Tshwane Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya.

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