- Over 800 residents have fallen ill in Bronkhorstspruit, with children under four accounting for 40% of cases
- The water treatment plant reportedly operated without chlorine for three weeks while drawing water polluted with raw sewage
- The plant manager has been suspended, and Deputy President Paul Mashatile has raised concerns about private water tanker suppliers
Source: Getty Images
TSHWANE, GAUTENG— More than 833 Bronkhorstspruit residents have been struck by gastrointestinal illness following a water contamination crisis that authorities say stems from the failure to chlorinate tap water at the local treatment works for nearly three weeks.
The City of Tshwane confirmed the tally has more than doubled from a previous count of 408 affected residents. Children aged between zero and four years old represent the hardest-hit group, making up 40% of all cases. Three patients are currently hospitalised, while 27 new infections were recorded in the last 24 hours alone. No deaths have been reported.
Tshwane's water crisis
The crisis originated at the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works, which ran without chlorine from 24 September to 14 October 2026, during which time the plant was drawing raw water heavily contaminated by untreated sewage from upstream municipal sources. Over 400 fell ill. Affected areas include Bronkhorstspruit Town, Ekandustria, Ekangala, Rethabiseng, Riamarpark, Zithobeni and parts of Thembisile Hani.
The City shut down, flushed and restarted the plant between 14 and 16 October, though independent testing by the Water Research Commission indicated the water had not yet reached fully safe levels. Thirty-six water tankers sourced from Cullinan have since been deployed to supply alternative drinking water, with Rand Water brought in as an implementing agent to oversee long-term upgrades to the facility.
When asked who would be held accountable, Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya said investigations were underway. Following preliminary findings, the plant manager has been placed on suspension.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile weighed in on the water tanker situation, saying:
"We're concerned about private suppliers because we don't know where they're getting water from."
Read Jones's tweet on H:
South Africans react
Reactions on social media reflected both frustration and political division. @Thokoza88288017 directed a pointed question at the mayor's office, writing:
"Please ask Nasiphi to respond to Sunday Times reporting that as early as February 2026 the city of Tshwane was made aware of the deteriorating water quality at Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant!"
Others were more conspiratorial. @Hoerang26 wrote:
"They're now really trying to sabotage the Mayor. ActionSA asijiki. National government should have improved infrastructure development under the ANC leadership; they ignored this."
@t_ignatious_d echoed that framing:
"Pure sabotage, and I hope those responsible get to account."
@Aya_Muzi kept it brief:
"This is a disaster."
Bronkhorstspruit water plant manager suspended
In a related article, Briefly News reported on the suspension of the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works manager and the investigations into the supply of untreated water to residents.
More than 400 people fell ill after the plant distributed unchlorinated water for nearly three weeks. The City has launched an independent investigation as residents await answers about how the failure occurred.
Source: Briefly News
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