The South African government has established a multi-pronged response team to address a surge in gastrointestinal illness affecting communities in the City of Tshwane. According to AllAfrica, 408 cases were reported between 7 and 18 October 2026, primarily impacting children and residents in areas such as Bronkhorstspruit, Dark City, and Zithobeni. The affected regions are largely supplied by the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works, which officials identified as the likely source of the contamination.
In a joint media briefing on Monday, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, alongside Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and other senior officials, explained that laboratory results from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases detected Norovirus, Campylobacter, and Shigella in patient specimens. Nile Post reported that while no deaths have been confirmed, high levels of E. coli were found in the water supply. Majodina noted that the plant operated without chlorine between 24 September and 14 October due to supply issues, a period during which the City of Tshwane failed to adequately warn residents about the water quality.
To manage the crisis, the City of Tshwane closed the treatment works on 14 October and reopened it on 16 October after restoring chlorine levels, though the water remains unsuitable for drinking. AllAfrica reported that 36 water tankers are now distributing clean drinking water to the affected areas, with continuous testing conducted by both the municipality and the national department. Residents have been advised to use tap water only for flushing toilets and to disinfect their containers with household bleach.
The Department of Water and Sanitation has appointed the Water Research Commission to conduct an independent investigation into the causes of the contamination. This report is expected to be released by 28 October, according to AllAfrica. Additionally, the City is working with Rand Water to develop an implementation plan for improving the treatment plant, which has faced longstanding infrastructure deficiencies. The city has committed over R107 million to the plant's upkeep and capacity restoration over a three-year period.
Nile Post noted that Tshwane has experienced recurring waterborne disease outbreaks in recent years, including a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal in 2023. The current investigation aims to determine if a formal outbreak declaration is required and to identify any other harmful contaminants present in the water supply.