Tshwane says Bronkhorstspruit illness outbreak is isolated, cases reach 433
The City of Tshwane says only the Bronkhorstspruit water treatment works lacked chlorine, so other areas are not affected. Most of the confirmed patients are children under four, and residents are warned not to use tap water.
Mayor Nasiphi Moya said the Bronkhorstspruit plant supplied unchlorinated water for weeks. Speaking outside the Dark City clinic during an awareness drive, she said: "Only the Bronkhorstspruit plant did not have chlorine, the rest of the plants have been chlorinating." She said the city tests water at its other plants and has found no similar problems.
Moya said enough chlorine is now available to clean the plant and meet its ongoing treatment needs. The city and Rand Water are working to restore the plant. She said the coming days will bring intensive technical work that may need a temporary shutdown of the plant.
The city said new cases are falling. Daily new cases peaked at 72 on 13 October and dropped to 16 on 18 October. Gauteng Health said fewer people now arrive at facilities with symptoms, but updated case figures are still awaited.
Tshwane has 35 water tankers working in affected communities: seven from the municipality and 28 from service providers. The city plans to have 36 once one more arrives.
Key facts
- Who
- Nasiphi Moya (Mayor of the City of Tshwane); Rand Water (water utility assisting the city with rehabilitation of the plant); Department of Water and Sanitation (national department working with the city and Rand Water); Water Research Commission (monitors water quality daily)
- What
- More than 400 Bronkhorstspruit residents, mostly children, reported gastrointestinal illnesses after drinking unchlorinated, contaminated municipal water. The City of Tshwane and Rand Water are rehabilitating the treatment plant, and the city says new cases have declined.
- When
- 21 October 2026
- Where
- Bronkhorstspruit, Ekangala, Tshwane
- Status
- Reported