Majodina says Bronkhorstspruit plant now has enough chlorine
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said the chlorine supply will last six to seven weeks after the City of Tshwane failed to chlorinate water at the plant. The failure left 833 people in Bronkhorstspruit with gastrointestinal illness.
Majodina spoke at a media briefing in Pretoria. She said Rand Water, working with Tshwane, will buy more chlorine as quickly as possible. The plant stays closed and tankers continue to supply the community.
Tshwane blamed the shortage on a dispute with its regular supplier. The city said the supplier raised its chlorine price by 400% without warning. The plant manager has been suspended.
Majodina also said the incident has prompted government to review the state of water treatment plants. She said more than 90% of South Africa's water is safe to drink. She said Johannesburg could face a water crisis if leaks are not fixed urgently.
She said the country's water and sanitation infrastructure needs R400 billion.
Key facts
- Who
- Pemmy Majodina (Water and Sanitation Minister); City of Tshwane (metro that operates the Bronkhorstspruit wastewater treatment plant); National Water Crisis Committee (briefed the media on the crisis); Rand Water (to procure chlorine with Tshwane)
- What
- After a chlorine shortage at the Bronkhorstspruit wastewater treatment plant, which the city attributed to a price dispute with its supplier, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said the issue is resolved. The plant stays closed and tankers continue supplying the community; 833 people in Bronkhorstspruit have contracted gastrointestinal illnesses.
- When
- 26 October 2026
- Where
- Bronkhorstspruit, Pretoria, Tshwane
- Status
- Reported