408 sick in Bronkhorstspruit as Mashatile inspects the water works
The Deputy President visits the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works and hospitalised patients on Monday, with the City of Tshwane leading the response to the contamination.
About 408 cases of gastrointestinal illness have been reported in the Bronkhorstspruit area after residents consumed water suspected of being contaminated and linked to the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works, and Deputy President Paul Mashatile visits the area on Monday to assess the situation.
Mashatile chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Water and Sanitation, which coordinates government interventions on water and sanitation challenges, accountability and responses to service delivery concerns. The Presidency said the visit forms part of that committee’s work.
At the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works (BWTW) the Deputy President will assess conditions, receive an update on the state of the treatment infrastructure and engage the relevant authorities on measures being implemented to restore the safety and reliability of the water supply. He will also visit hospitalised patients.
“The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of the water supply and the potential health risks to communities,” the Presidency said. “The engagement will provide an opportunity to receive updates on the condition of affected residents and the healthcare response.”
The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality has led the response, including interventions on water quality, assessment of the affected infrastructure and measures to safeguard public health and restore safe water to affected residents.
Mashatile will be accompanied by the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Jacob Mamabolo, and the Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Dr Nasiphi Moya, along with other officials.
The Presidency said the visit will assess progress in addressing the crisis and reinforce coordinated action, oversight and accountability in ensuring access to safe and reliable water.
This report is drawn from the SAnews (South African Government News Agency) summary of the planned visit, published on 26 October 2026 at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/mashatile-visits-bronkhorstspruit-assess-water-conditions. It is a summary of the Presidency’s statements rather than the full record, and the document does not state the cause of the contamination or the current condition of the patients.
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