South Africa: Gastrointestinal Illness Cases Rise to 833

What the report says

Health officials in South Africa said gastrointestinal illness cases linked to contaminated water in the Bronkhorstspruit area of the City of Tshwane have climbed to 833, up from an earlier count of 408. The revised figure was disclosed by Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina during a Monday visit by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Water and Sanitation, chaired by Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

According to the report carried by SAnews.gov.za and distributed by AllAfrica, authorities shut down the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant while repairs and cleaning are carried out. Majodina said some residents may still have consumed water already processed before the shutdown, and others may have used stored water. She added that no critical cases or deaths had been reported.

The government said four water pumps have been installed at the plant and that work is starting with Phase 1 of the facility. Rand Water is leading the response with the municipality, while the City of Tshwane is providing free drinking water through tankers. Majodina said tankers are intended as a short-term emergency measure, not a long-term fix.

The report also noted a wider government audit of water treatment works, especially in Gauteng, amid concerns about ageing infrastructure. Officials said additional chlorine supplies were available for several weeks and that more would be procured before stocks run low.