In brief
Epidemiological tests have linked more than 400 cases of stomach cramps and diarrhoea in Pretoria to a municipal water supply contaminated with E. coli, norovirus, Campylobacter and Shigella. Authorities have declared the tap water unsafe for consumption and provided clean water via tanker trucks while urging residents to discard stored water and disinfect containers with bleach. The crisis follows earlier waterborne outbreaks in the region, including a 2023 cholera death toll and a 2025 typhoid spike, pointing to longstanding weaknesses in water treatment and public communication.
Dozens of Pretoria residents have been hospitalized with stomach cramps and diarrhoea after using tap water. The outbreak, affecting 408 people mainly under four, was traced to a municipal plant serving eastern townships.
Testing revealed a spike in Escherichia coli alongside norovirus, Campylobacter and Shigella.
To safeguard health, authorities declared the supply unsafe for consumption and urged residents to use water only for flushing toilets, while tanker trucks deliver clean alternatives. Stored water should be discarded and containers disinfected with bleach.
Prior incidents—including a 2023 cholera death toll of 29 and a 2025 typhoid outbreak—highlight longstanding failures in water purification and public notification.
