Government has set up a response team after 408 cases of stomach illness were reported in Bronkhorstspruit, in the City of Tshwane, between 7 and 18 October 2026.
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said the illness is believed to come from contaminated water from the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works. Children and other residents have been affected, according to SAnews.
“The NICD tests detected Norovirus, Campylobacter and Shigella in three of four specimens analysed, together with other pathogens that cause stomach cramps and diarrhoea. No cholera bacteria were found in the sampled stools,” Majodina said.
She spoke at a media briefing on Monday evening. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Deputy Water Minister David Mahlobo, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya joined her.
Majodina said patients were treated at the hospital and at clinics from Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, Dark City, Rethabiseng and Sokhulumi. These areas in Tshwane’s Region 7 mostly get their water from the treatment works.
The minister said the mix of germs and the fast spread “point to a common water supply being the likely source of illness”.
She said water tests by her department on 14 October found very high levels of E. coli and total coliforms. These were found in water from the treatment works and in the Ekandustria and Zithobeni reservoirs.
Majodina said more tests are being done to check for other harmful contaminants. She said the NICD is collecting more samples to decide whether a formal outbreak declaration is needed.
According to the minister, a department investigation found that the City of Tshwane had problems with its chlorine supply. As a result, unchlorinated water left the treatment works between 24 September and 14 October.
Majodina said the City “failed to warn residents in the affected areas of Bronkhorstspruit”. She said her department has started accountability steps against those responsible for the water pollution.
The City closed the treatment works on 14 October, the minister said. Chlorine supply was restored by 15 October, and the plant reopened on 16 October. Residents were told the water was not yet safe to drink.
Water tankers have been handing out drinking water to residents, SAnews reported. Majodina said the City is increasing the number of tankers to 36. She said the City and her department will test this water all the time.
The City is busy appointing Rand Water to fix the treatment works, including parts that do not work. Majodina said Rand Water and department engineers are drawing up a plan with timeframes.
“At this stage, it is not possible to give a timeframe for when residents will again be able to drink water emanating from the BWTW,” the minister said.
According to Majodina, the City spent about R21 million on the plant’s upkeep this financial year. She said spending and planned investment add up to more than R107 million over three years.
Residents in the affected areas were told not to drink, bathe in, cook with, brush teeth with or wash clothes with tap water. Majodina said the water can only be used to flush toilets.
She said stored water should be thrown away and containers cleaned with household bleach. People who feel sick were urged to get medical help early and report it at their nearest clinic.
The department has asked the Water Research Commission to run independent water tests and investigate the cause of the contamination. Its report is expected by 28 October.
Source: this article is based on reporting by SAnews.gov.za. Image: GCIS via SAnews.gov.za. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.