Tshwane water contamination outbreak

An outbreak of gastrointestinal illnesses occurred in Bronkhorstspruit and surrounding areas in the City of Tshwane after the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works failed to chlorinate the water supply between 24 September and 14 October 2026. More than 400 people, many of whom were children under four, fell ill. Laboratory tests identified pathogens such as Norovirus, Campylobacter, and Shigella, alongside extremely high levels of E. coli and total coliforms. The contamination was linked to a river polluted by sewage from dysfunctional wastewater plants and a failure to secure a chlorine supplier.

In response to the crisis, the City of Tshwane suspended the manager of the water treatment works. Mayor Nasiphi Moya commissioned an independent external investigation to examine procurement, operational management, and communication failures, specifically addressing why leadership was not alerted to the chlorine shortage and why residents were not warned. While the city has resumed chlorination and is distributing water via tankers, officials have warned that tap water remains unsafe for use until the system is thoroughly flushed.

Recent developments indicate the number of people contracting gastrointestinal illness has risen to 833. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) reported that the municipality failed to notify the national department within the legally required 12-hour window after disinfection processes ceased. DWS Director-General Dr. Sean Phillips noted the municipality continued supplying untreated water despite knowing the Bronkhorstspruit River was heavily contaminated with sewage. The DWS is now working with law enforcement and the ‘Blue Scorpions’ investigators to finalize an inquiry by early November. Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina confirmed the plant currently has enough chlorine to last six to seven weeks, with Rand Water assisting in procurement.