Makhanda taps under suspicion as Rhodes University battles stomach illness outbreak

Rhodes University has moved to test the water in its residences and is supplying safe drinking water in its dining halls after a cluster of gastrointestinal illnesses was reported among members of its community.

The university, based in Makhanda in the Eastern Cape, said it reported the cluster on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Its enquiries with local medical practitioners found that similar cases are being reported elsewhere in Makhanda, which the university said suggests the situation may extend beyond the campus.

It is working with health authorities and environmental health practitioners to establish the possible cause and scope of the illnesses. Alongside the water testing, precautions have been put in place in food preparation, and reported cases are being monitored with medical support coordinated for affected students.

Staff and students have been urged to drink boiled and cooled or bottled water, to use safe water for food preparation and brushing teeth, and to avoid ice and uncooked food washed in untreated water. Regular hand-washing with soap and water is also advised.

Anyone with diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps or fever should keep hydrated with safe fluids and seek medical advice, and should seek urgent medical attention if symptoms are severe. Students needing medical help can contact the Rhodes University Health Care Centre on 046 603 8523 or email healthcarecentre@ru.ac.za. After-hours emergencies can be reported to the RU ER24 emergency number on 010 205 3068, and students should also notify their warden or sub-warden.

The university said it takes the health and well-being of its community seriously and would share further updates as verified information becomes available.

The Rhodes cluster comes as government responds to a separate rise in gastrointestinal illness affecting children and communities at Bronkhorstspruit in the City of Tshwane, Gauteng. At a media briefing on Monday, government announced a multi-pronged response team after 408 cases were reported between 7 and 18 October 2026.

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said at the briefing that the source of the illness is believed to be contaminated water from the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works. The City of Tshwane has warned residents supplied by the Bronkhorstspruit water system not to use tap water for human consumption after laboratory results revealed serious bacterial contamination. According to the municipality, samples collected from the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant and the Zithobeni and Ekandustria reservoirs on 14 October 2026 showed the contamination.

This report is based on the SAnews (South African Government News Agency) account of the two outbreaks, which summarises statements from Rhodes University, the government briefing and the City of Tshwane rather than reproducing the underlying laboratory or case records. The source is at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/rhodes-university-reports-gastrointestinal-illnesses.