Bronkhorstspruit water crisis: cases reach 833
Editorial graphic, not a photograph. Source: East Coast Radio reporting of the ministerial briefing, 26 October 2026. Graphic: CrispNG.
The Bronkhorstspruit water crisis has resulted in 833 reported gastrointestinal illness cases, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said at a briefing on Monday, 26 October 2026. At the briefing, authorities said the treatment plant remained closed while tankers supplied alternative water.
East Coast Radio reported Majodina’s figures after Deputy President Paul Mashatile visited the area. The minister said authorities had recorded 27 new cases in the preceding 24 hours and three patients were in hospital at the time of the briefing.
What the reported case total means
The 833 figure describes reported cases, rather than the number of patients occupying hospital beds at once. The total does not mean 833 people were in hospital at once. Equally, the smaller inpatient figure is not a declaration that the community’s water supply is safe.
The figures are a snapshot from Monday’s briefing. Later health updates may revise the total as authorities record additional cases and complete their investigations.
Chlorine secured, but the plant remains closed
EWN reported on Monday that Majodina said officials had secured sufficient chlorine for about six to seven weeks. The report also said the treatment plant remained closed and that tankers would continue supplying the community.
Securing a chemical supply and restoring safe drinking water are separate steps. The report announced no end to the restrictions and gave no confirmed date for residents to resume drinking tap water.
East Coast Radio also reported that Rand Water was helping to refurbish the facility. In a later eNCA report on 26 October, the city said it was flushing and disinfecting the affected network and carrying out daily water-quality tests.
What authorities established earlier
In a joint government statement issued on 19 October, national and provincial authorities and the City of Tshwane said the works had supplied unchlorinated water between 24 September and 14 October.
The statement linked illness to contaminated water from the treatment works, drawing on patient specimens and water-quality tests. It recorded 408 cases between 7 and 18 October. That earlier reporting period differs from Monday’s updated total.
Bronkhorstspruit water crisis: the official precautions
The 19 October joint notice instructed affected households to use tap water only for flushing toilets until further notice. It prohibited drinking it or using it for cooking, bathing, brushing teeth, washing food or washing clothes. The statement also made clear that boiling did not remove those restrictions.
The notice urged households to keep drinking water from tankers in clean containers with lids. The authorities urged residents who develop symptoms to seek medical attention early and report suspected cases to a healthcare facility or local health authority.
What happens next
Mashatile’s visit formed part of the work of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Water and Sanitation, according to the Presidency’s notice. Its stated priorities included oversight, accountability and restoring a reliable, safe supply.
For residents, the next decisive update will be official confirmation about water quality and the restrictions. An estimate for repairs or an assurance about chlorine stocks does not provide clearance to drink from the affected supply.
For background on the terminology and investigations, read CrispNG’s gastrointestinal illness explainer, published on 21 October.
Information checked: 27 October 2026. Case and admission figures refer to the 26 October ministerial briefing.