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Government investigates stomach illness at Rhodes University and St Albans prison

Published

Preliminary findings point to contamination in the water systems of the university and the prison, not the municipal networks, a joint government statement said. In total 134 people reported gastrointestinal illness, and laboratory results are pending.

The illness affects 111 people at Rhodes University in Makhanda and 23 inmates at St Albans Correctional Centre in Nelson Mandela Bay. Rhodes University reported the illness in a media alert on 20 October.

The Department of Water and Sanitation, the Eastern Cape provincial government, the Makana municipality and the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality issued the joint statement. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases and Amatola Water are part of the technical team, and the institute collected samples.

The statement said laboratory results of all samples are still pending. It said the results will be shared as soon as they are available. It urged residents with symptoms to seek medical attention early.

Key facts

Who
Pemmy Majodina (water and sanitation minister); Oscar Mabuyane (Eastern Cape premier); Yandiswa Vara (executive mayor of Makana); Babalwa Lobishe (executive mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay)
What
A total of 134 people, including 111 at Rhodes University student residences and 23 at St Alban's Prison, reported gastrointestinal illness. Initial test results indicate contamination in the institutions' water distribution systems rather than the municipal networks; laboratory results are pending and an investigation is under way.
When
22 October 2026
Where
Gqeberha, Makana, Nelson Mandela Bay
Status
Reported

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