Suspected water contamination in Bronkhorstspruit leaves 833 ill, including hundreds of young children

The number of reported gastrointestinal illness cases in Bronkhorstspruit, east of Pretoria, has increased to 833, with 328 of those affected being children under the age of four.

Authorities say only three patients are currently admitted to hospital as government continues interventions to address the water crisis linked to suspected contamination.

On Monday, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina briefed the media at Bronkhorstspruit District Hospital, where she said patients admitted since 7 October had generally required short periods of treatment.

“And I said admission since 7 October to date has not exceeded more than three days, meaning that people have not been very critical. They came here because they were dehydrated, and after they’ve been hydrated, they go back home,” Majodina said.

She added that there had been no reports of patients returning for further treatment after being discharged, indicating that the situation was under control.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile visited Bronkhorstspruit to assess the ongoing water crisis and the government's response to the reported illnesses. The visit included inspections at the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works and the local district hospital.

Mashatile, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Water and Sanitation, received updates on the outbreak, the treatment of affected residents and efforts to restore access to safe drinking water.

“Access to safe water is a basic necessity, and government has a responsibility to ensure that communities are protected from preventable health risks,” he said.

Government interventions include water quality testing, increased water tanker capacity, public health awareness campaigns and additional healthcare support for affected residents.

City of Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya also participated in the oversight visit, providing an update on the city's interventions and Rand Water's progress in refurbishing the treatment plant.

Moya said the city was providing temporary water supplies through tankers, JoJo tanks and boreholes while work continued to restore the treatment plant's operations.

The city’s long-term goal is to ensure that the plant becomes operational so residents can receive water through their municipal taps.

Mashatile called for coordinated action across all spheres of government to contain the outbreak, address underlying infrastructure challenges and restore reliable access to safe water.