More than 408 people, most of whom are children under four years old, fell ill with gastrointestinal infections after the Bronkhorstspruit water treatment facilities in Tshwane supplied unchlorinated water for three weeks. A joint investigation established that the city failed to warn residents about the danger.
Cases were recorded between October 7 and 18, with the highest number of affected individuals being patients under four years old. No fatalities were registered. Laboratory data points to contaminated water as the likely source of the problem.
A joint inspection conducted by health authorities, the Department of Water Resources and Sanitation, and the city of Tshwane revealed that difficulties with the chlorine supplier in the city led the plant to supply unchlorinated water from September 24 to October 14.
A joint statement indicated that the city did not notify the public that the water was not chlorinated and could not be consumed, used for cooking, washing, or bathing, even after boiling. This requirement is stipulated by the Mandatory Compliance Standards for Water Supply 2025, issued in accordance with the Water Supply Act.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina reported that new cases peaked on October 13, when 72 cases were recorded, before declining to 16 by October 18. She stated: 'Between October 7 and 18, it was confirmed that 408 cases of gastrointestinal diseases were registered. Most patients are under four years old. No deaths have been reported so far.'
The National Institute of Infectious Diseases detected norovirus, campylobacter, and shigella in three out of four analyzed stool samples, as well as other pathogens associated with stomach spasms and diarrhea. Cholera bacteria were not found in these stool samples. Separate water tests conducted on October 14 revealed extremely high levels of E. coli and total coliform bacteria in the water from the plant, as well as in the Ekandustria and Zitobeni reservoirs.
Affected settlements include Zitobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, Dark City, Retabiseng, and Sohlumi in Region 7 of Tshwane. The plant draws water from the Bronkhorstspruit River, which, the investigation found, is contaminated with sewage from faulty sanitation facilities of the Victor Hani municipality and non-operational sewage pumping stations in Tshwane.
Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya defended the city's communication policy, noting that officials needed to collaborate with other departments to determine the cause before making a final statement. Nevertheless, she emphasized that those responsible would be held accountable.
Moya said: 'According to reports, the surge in cases was noticed on October 7. There was time when we obviously had to work with other structures to confirm the problem.' She added that the city's municipal health services had reported cases of diarrhea, but officials could not yet confirm the cause. However, the investigation's conclusion related to a different issue: the inability to warn residents that the water was not chlorinated.
The findings were discussed at an intergovernmental meeting on Sunday, October 18, attended by Majodina, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, and Moya. The meeting presented a consolidated report on the cases, laboratory results, the investigation, and urgent measures to protect the public.
The city closed the plant on October 14. Chlorine supplies were restored by October 15, and the plant resumed supplying the distribution system on October 16, but residents were informed that the water was still not safe to drink. Currently, the city is delivering drinking water via tankers from the Kallinan water treatment facilities; tests show this supply is safe. Authorities are increasing distribution through 36 tankers.
Residents were advised not to drink tap water or use it for cooking, bathing, brushing teeth, washing food or clothes. The water can only be used for flushing toilets. They were also advised to dispose of stored water and disinfect containers with household bleach.
The investigation showed that pumps, sand filters, and other equipment at the plant were not functioning. Tshwane is in the process of appointing Rand Water to improve the plant's operation, but the timeline for when the tap water will be safe again has not been determined. The Water Research Commission began independent testing on October 18, with initial results expected on Wednesday, and the report on the causes should be ready by October 28.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) filed a criminal case against the city at the Pretoria Central Police Station. DA leader in Tshwane Ald Cilliers Brink stated that the party demands the city be held accountable and insists on the immediate release of water quality test results. Brink stated: 'The inadequate state of infrastructure led to a public health crisis.' He continued: 'I believe this is gross mismanagement, negligence that endangers people's lives. The fact that we are asking these questions and the city is simply brushing them aside demonstrates criminal disregard for legislative standards and simple human courtesy.'
