Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina denied that the gastrointestinal illness affecting 833 people in Bronkhorstspruit qualifies as an outbreak, despite the rising case numbers linked to contaminated water from the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works. Majodina said no deaths or critical cases had been reported, with only three patients still hospitalised as of 26 October.
Residents in the Tshwane Region 7 areas of Bronkhorstspruit, Zithobeni, Dark City, Rethabiseng and Sokhulumi have been exposed to unsafe water. Official tests revealed dangerously high levels of E. coli and total coliform bacteria in water samples from the treatment works and surrounding reservoirs. This contamination followed a failure to chlorinate the water between 24 September and 14 October due to issues with the chlorine supplier.
The City of Tshwane warned residents against drinking tap water and advised using water supplied by city-owned tankers for all human consumption needs. “Residents must use safe water supplied by city-owned water tankers until the city officially confirms that the tap water is safe again,” the municipal statement said.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) called for urgent intervention by the City of Tshwane, emphasising the seriousness of more than 400 hospitalisations, especially among children. The commission said the situation underlined an immediate need for remedial action to protect public health.
The timeline of events began on 24 September when chlorination at the Bronkhorstspruit treatment facility ceased due to supplier issues. By 7 October, authorities began tracking illness cases. Water tests confirming contamination led to the facility’s closure on 14 October. Although the works reopened on 16 October, the water remained unsafe for drinking. As of 18 October, the case count stood at 408, climbing to 833 by 26 October during Majodina’s visit.
Despite the growing number of illnesses and official advice from the municipality, Minister Majodina maintained that the situation did not meet the criteria of a public health outbreak because there were no critical cases or fatalities. “There’s no death. There is no one that is critical,” she said during the briefing.
Government sources indicated that further laboratory investigations were ongoing to identify the exact source of contamination. While a failure by the chlorine supplier is confirmed, allegations of sewage pollution from dysfunctional wastewater works upstream remain uncorroborated by independent sources.
This incident raises concerns about infrastructure management and water safety in Tshwane and highlights the ongoing risk to communities relying on municipal water supplies. The Water Research Commission’s independent findings are expected by 28 October but have yet to be publicly released.
Residents and health officials continue to monitor the situation closely. CapeFlats.co.za will provide updates as new information becomes available, including the Water Research Commission’s report and any further government actions.