City scratches its head over 160 sick in Tshwane

The City of Tshwane is investigating a cluster of 160 residents who fell ill with diarrhoea and stomach-related symptoms between October 7 and 12, 2026. Most patients were treated at Bronkhorstspruit, Mamelodi, Steve Biko Academic, and Wilgers hospitals, but no deaths have been reported. Tshwane's MMC for Health, Tshegofatso Mashabela, stated that the cause remains unknown, though it may be water-borne.

Tshwane has ramped up testing at the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant and across the distribution network, with results pending. The DA announced it would open a criminal case over the city's handling of the plant, alleging that it operated without chlorine treatment for three weeks. DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink claimed the plant had produced only 15 megalitres a day, below its capacity of 54 megalitres, despite warnings from the NAWS Standards that authorities must issue advisories when quality may be compromised.

Brink asked Mayor Nasiphi Moya about the plant's condition and whether she knew chlorine treatment had stopped, demanding water-quality test results, chlorine treatment records, and operational reports be preserved for independent examination. Moya denied the R777 million water tanker spending claim, stating the city's spending was lower than the previous administration's.

Plant upgrades are underway, including refurbishing the filtration system, improving pumping infrastructure, and cleaning reservoirs, with a broader refurbishment under procurement to restore the plant to its full capacity of 54 million litres a day. The investigation is ongoing, and the city will communicate confirmed findings as the inquiry progresses.