By Levy Masiteng
The City of Tshwane said that an increase in typhoid cases was consistent with a seasonal pattern seen during warmer months and that there was “no cause for alarm”.
The statement comes after 24 typhoid cases were reported in Hammanskraal and Bronkhorstspruit last week.
The patients, under 15 years of age, were admitted to Hammanskraal’s Jubilee Hospital.
Senior nursing manager at the hospital, Julia Aphane, said that upon arrival at the facility, the children had symptoms that included diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and dehydration.
Aphane said the symptoms were the same as those experienced by residents during the 2023 cholera outbreak in the area.
Tshwane acting executive mayor Eugene Modise said the seasonal increase in cases was not unusual.
He said that since 1 January to 31 October, a total of 48 laboratory-confirmed cases of typhoid had been reported across the Tshwane District.
“Most of these were recorded in Hammanskraal and Bronkhorstspruit. This compares to 35 cases over the same period in the previous year. Importantly, no new cases have been detected since the final epidemiological week of October (20 to 26 October 2025),” he added.
The city said that it had launched an investigation into the outbreak, and was working closely with the departments of health and water and sanitation, and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
“Health authorities have confirmed that the reported cases are not linked, and investigations into possible sources of infection are continuing,” said the city. Daily water-quality testing was being conducted across the city “and through independent laboratories”, said Modise.
All water supplied to residents – included tanker supplied – “continues to meet the South African National Standards…for drinking water,” he said.
Residents have been advised to practice good hygiene, including washing hands regularly with soap and clean water, storing drinking water safely, and avoiding the use of untreated river or borehole water for domestic purposes.
“Anyone experiencing persistent fever, headache, or abdominal pain should visit their nearest clinic immediately,” said Modise.
Community members that Inside Metros spoke to, however, remain concerned about the availability of potable water in the area, which has been a problem for years.
“We have been fighting for clean water, every year we face challenges but with no change,” said resident Lesego Moloi.
Another resident, Marrian Morudu, said her son, Lethabo, was hospitalised at Jubilee Hospital because he had typhoid symptoms.
“Lethabo got sick, started vomiting, and I could see blood. We’ve been fighting for clean water for a while now,” she said.
Executive Director of the Water Community Action Network (WaterCAN), Dr Ferrial Adam, said the organisation was “outraged” by the typhoid cases.
“A city spending nearly R600 million on water tankers while residents face contaminated taps shows just how little priority is given to people’s right to clean, safe water. This outbreak is not an accident — it’s a symptom of neglect and failed governance. We demand full transparency on water quality and immediate accountability from those responsible,” said Adam.
Democratic Alliance (DA) Tshwane Mayoral Candidate Cilliers Brink called for the city to release the results of its routine water tests.
“We need second-party verification. Moya’s silence on the matter does nothing but undermine trust in the city’s ability to effectively manage the situation,” he said.
Modise has “cautioned” political parties and individuals “against using public health issues for political gain”.
“Spreading false or misleading information risks causing unnecessary panic and undermines the efforts of health professionals working to protect communities,” Modise said.
INSIDE METROS