The City of Tshwane has vowed to tackle air pollution, which is a growing concern that affects the health and well-being of its residents. 

Vehicle emissions, stack emissions, and fuel-burning appliances are some of the main culprits contributing to poor air quality.

Spray-painting activities, often overlooked, have also been named as contributors to the city’s air pollution.

Obakeng Ramabodu, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment & Agriculture Management in Tshwane, said the implementation of the city’s newly amended Air Quality Management By-law, will safeguard residents’ health by regulating various activities that negatively impact air quality.

He said the updated by-law introduces enhanced measures to curb air pollution and protect the health of residents.

He said one key highlight of the by-law is the “duty of care” principle, which emphasises the principle that every individual and business has the responsibility of preventing air pollution to ensure their activities will not cause air pollution. 

Ramabodu said: “The provision empowers the city to act proactively, ensuring that potential sources of pollution are addressed before they adversely impact air quality.” 

He informed residents about the mandatory maintenance required for compressed ignition-powered vehicles, aimed at reducing emissions of dark smoke and toxic gases. 

In terms of the by-law, dark smoke from stacks or chimneys of any fuel-burning appliance on any premises, whether domestic, business or industrial are prohibited, including fuel-burning appliances.

Ramabodu said: “The closing date for registration of existing fuel-burning appliances with a net heat input greater than 2 MW but less than 50 MW was 03 March 2025. The city calls on all facilities that have not registered yet to contact the relevant authorities to avoid penalties,” he said.

He said all fuel-burning appliances with a net heat input greater than 2 MW but less than 50 MW need to report their annual emissions to the city’s Agriculture and Environmental Management Department. 

“The first annual cycle started on March 1, 2025 and will end on February 28, 2026. Facilities must keep records of their fuel types, quality, and quantities for reporting purposes,” he said.

Regarding spray-painting facilities, he said: “The closing date for registration of existing spray-painting facilities was March 3, 2025. The city calls on all facilities that have not registered yet to contact the relevant authorities to avoid penalties.”

Residents have also been reminded that open burning on any property without written authorisation from the council is prohibited.

Additionally, the by-law prohibits the burning of domestic, garden, and industrial waste such as tyres, plastic, and rubber products, addressing a major source of harmful particulate matter and toxic emissions.

Ramabodu said the amendments align with national environmental standards and reflect the municipality’s dedication to public health and ecological preservation.

“Residents and businesses are urged to familiarise themselves with the updated by-law and take active steps to comply. The city will continue to provide guidance and enforce the regulations to ensure a cleaner, healthier Tshwane for all,” he said.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za

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