The City of Tshwane has admitted it failed to specifically warn residents that water from the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works was being supplied without chlorine, as health authorities investigate 408 cases of gastrointestinal illness.
Speaking during a media briefing on Monday night, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said that the plant supplied unchlorinated water between 24 September and 14 October due to problems with its chlorine supplier.
“The City of Tshwane experienced difficulties with its chlorine supplier which resulted in water emanating from the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works not being chlorinated between 24 September and 14 October,” Majodina said.
Authorities reported 408 cases of gastrointestinal illness between 7 and 18 October, mostly in children under four. No deaths had been reported. Daily cases peaked at 72 on 13 October, dropping to 16 on 18 October.
Patients presented with stomach cramps and diarrhoea. Bronkhorstspruit Hospital set up an isolation area and additional beds, with authorities saying patients would be referred elsewhere if local capacity was overwhelmed.
Laboratory tests have heightened concern. The Department of Water and Sanitation found extremely high levels of E. coli and total coliforms in samples from the treatment works and nearby reservoirs. Bacteria associated with cholera was detected in some water samples, although cholera has not been confirmed in patient stool samples. Further testing is underway.
Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya took responsibility for the failure.
“We take responsibility for the negligence because it was during that time that then we ran out of chlorine at Bronkhorstspruit,” Moya said.
Moya admitted residents were not specifically told not to use the water for drinking, cooking, bathing or other household use. She said the chlorine supplier had quadrupled its price while the city sought alternatives. She added that the plant is more than 60 years old and that the city had allocated over R100 million to Bronkhorstspruit-related work since February 2025.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi called for accountability.
“If Tshwane has polluted the river, we are going to proceed that they must account,” Lesufi said.
He warned that other polluters should also be held liable, including through legal action against individuals and institutions, and raised concerns about turbidity, heavy metals and the link between wastewater and drinking water systems.
The treatment works was shut down on 14 October for investigation and sampling. Chlorine supply was restored on 15 October and the plant resumed feeding the distribution system on 16 October. However, authorities have not yet confirmed when the water will be safe to drink.
The city is supplying water via tankers, with 36 additional tankers planned. Officials said water from the Cullinan Water Treatment Works had tested safe.
Residents have been advised not to drink tap water in affected areas or use it for cooking, bathing, brushing teeth or washing food and clothes. Until further notice, it should only be used to flush toilets.
Independent water-quality results are expected on 21 October, with a full investigation report due by 28 October.