Health authorities in Bronkhorstspruit and surrounding areas have reported up to 160 cases of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues. Tshwane City is investigating these cases to determine the cause of the outbreak.
Reports of cases were received between October 7 and 12, with most patients receiving treatment at Bronkhorstspruit Hospital. Other patients were hospitalized at Mamelodi Hospital, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, and Vilgers Hospital.
As of now, no deaths have been registered. The city has suggested that the cause could be waterborne illness, but the investigation is ongoing, and a link to the water supply has not yet been confirmed.
Water safety concerns under investigation
Tshegofotsa Mashabela, a member of the Tshwane City Council for Health, stated that the city has intensified water testing at the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works and throughout the distribution network to ascertain whether the water supply could be linked to these illnesses.
A multidisciplinary team, comprising representatives from Tshwane City, Tshwane District Health Services, as well as provincial and national health departments, is studying the recorded cases. Mashabela clarified that the results of blood and stool tests from affected patients are still awaited.
The statement emphasized: 'Although the illness may be related to water, the true cause has not yet been established.' As a preventive measure, residents were advised to use alternative safe water sources, including water delivered by municipal tankers, while the investigation proceeds.
The city reported that the tankers supplying Region 7 receive water from Cullinan, which is outside the affected water supply zone. Municipal tankers are disinfected daily, and drivers have undergone training on safe handling of drinking water.
Residents strongly urged to seek medical attention
The city called on residents experiencing persistent diarrhea, vomiting, fever, weakness, or dehydration to seek medical attention, especially if children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups are affected.
Mashabela expressed understanding of the concern caused by these illnesses and assured that the city is working to quickly establish their cause. She added: 'The City's main concern is the sick residents and the families caring for them. We understand the anxiety this causes, and we are working to find out as soon as possible what is causing the illness in people.'
The city also confirmed that measures to ensure alternative water supply remain in effect throughout the investigation period.
Water treatment plant undergoing modernization
The reported illnesses occurred against the backdrop of the City's ongoing work at the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works as part of the Water Stabilization Plan and the Long-Term Water Management Plan. Planned improvements include repairing the filtration system, modernizing pumping infrastructure, cleaning and disinfecting reservoirs, and strengthening water quality monitoring.
According to City information, a broader repair process is also underway at the station to update outdated infrastructure, improve purification processes, and restore the facility to its full design capacity of 54 million liters per day. This plan was conceived for short-term water supply stabilization while simultaneously addressing infrastructure aging and strengthening Tshwane's long-term water security.
Authorities stated that they will continue to investigate the recorded illnesses and will report confirmed results as new information becomes available.
