The Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant now has enough chlorine to disinfect water for the next six to seven weeks, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina confirmed on 26 October 2026. This announcement follows a period during which the plant failed to dose chlorine for about three weeks, leading to a spike in gastrointestinal illnesses in the community.
Minister Majodina stated, “we have enough chlorine now, which will take us through the next six to seven weeks” in a briefing covered by SABC News. This assurance came as the number of reported gastrointestinal illness cases related to contaminated water rose to 833 as of 26 October, according to SAnews and the Sowetan.
The City of Tshwane acknowledged that the plant had gone without chlorine dosing between late September and mid-October, admitting this lapse contributed to the water safety crisis. The Bronkhorstspruit water treatment plant was shut down temporarily for repairs and cleaning while the city secured new chlorine supplies. A City of Tshwane representative told eNCA, “Rand Water is on site, and they have assured that they will be able to help us to get more so that we never run out.”
Ndweleni Mphephu, Director at the Association of Water and Sanitation, supported this, saying, “We do not have a shortage of chlorine at all.” The attention on chlorine supply was heightened after inspectors found that chlorination had ceased due to depleted stocks around 14 October. The city launched a probe into the failure and suspended the Bronkhorstspruit plant manager on 23 October pending further investigation.
The contamination has presented a significant public health challenge for Bronkhorstspruit residents, with hundreds now affected by waterborne gastrointestinal illnesses. While the exact reasons for the chlorination failure are still under examination, the confirmed restoration of chlorine supply aims to prevent further cases and improve water safety. The City of Tshwane continues to monitor the situation closely as the treatment plant remains offline for essential maintenance.
Authorities are yet to confirm the full timeline of the chlorination lapse and the precise breakdown of affected demographics, including how many children are among the sick. Early reports of a supplier price increase causing the chlorine shortage have not been independently verified.
CapeFlats.co.za will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as new information emerges.