URGENT WARNING: 408 GASTROINTESTINAL ILLNESS CASES IN TSHWANE -CONTAMINATED WATER LINKED TO OUTBREAK Authorities have linked 408 cases of gastrointestinal illness reported between 7 and 18 October 2026 to contaminated water supplied by the City of Tshwane’s Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works. 📍 Affected areas: Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, Dark City, Rethabiseng and Sokhulumi. 🔴 Most patients are children under four years old. No deaths have been reported. 🔴 Laboratory tests detected Norovirus, Campylobacter and Shigella in patient samples. No cholera bacteria were found in the stool samples tested. 🔴 Water tests revealed extremely high levels of E. coli and total coliforms. 🔴 Investigators found that the treatment plant’s water was not chlorinated between 24 September and 14 October because of problems with the chlorine supplier. The water source is also affected by sewage pollution. 🔴 The City of Tshwane closed the plant on 14 October, restored chlorine supplies and reopened it on 16 October, but the water remains unsafe for drinking. 🚱 URGENT WARNING TO RESIDENTS Until further notice, residents in areas supplied by the plant must NOT use tap water for drinking, cooking, bathing, brushing teeth, washing food or clothes -even after boiling. Tap water may only be used for flushing toilets. The City is supplying safe drinking water through tankers, with 36 tankers planned in total. Residents should collect water from these tankers and store it in clean, covered containers. The Water Research Commission is conducting independent tests, with initial results expected from Wednesday. An investigation into the causes of the contamination is due by 28 October. Authorities have initiated accountability measures, while health teams continue monitoring cases and educating communities. The warning remains in force until authorities confirm that the water is safe. @CityTshwane @HealthZA