air pollutionlatest news & developments
The sulphuric stench that drifted over large parts of Johannesburg last week – described by residents as reeking of “rotten eggs”, “cat urine” and “burning sulphur” – has dissipated.

“Rotten egg” smell over Joburg highlights toxic air pollution risks

Air pollution in the Highveld Priority Area threatens lives and violates environmental rights, as hydrogen sulphide levels recently spiked over Johannesburg

  • Sheree Bega
9 min read
‘Not us’: Sasol in Secunda. The company says all its emissions monitoring shows levels well within the limits authorised in its atmospheric emissions licences. Photo: Supplied

Residents mull source of pong

People have been reporting strong sulphur odours causing headaches and eye irritation. The city is monitoring air quality while authorities investigate potential Highveld emissions

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
Toxic smoke: The illegal dumping site from Cedar Creek forces residents to breathe an acrid haze from nightly burning. Photo: Supplied

‘We can’t breathe’: Joburg communities choke as illegal dumping sparks toxic air crisis

Every night, the skyline turns grey as illegal waste fires sweep through mountains of discarded household waste, building debris, electronic, medical waste and toxic materials

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
Eskom and Sasol, which are considered two of the country’s biggest polluters, have been granted postponements, suspensions and/or alternative limits of the minimum emissions standards since 2015. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

UN special rapporteur: Toxic pollution in SA fuelled by corporate greed and government inaction 

Marcos Orellana noted the poor disposal of waste and hazardous substances, the wide use of pesticides and weak enforcement of regulations

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
The case challenges the government’s failure to enforce regulations that would protect people from air pollution in the Highveld Priority Area. (Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)

Landmark ‘Deadly Air’ case heads to supreme court of appeal

Environment organisations groundWork and Vukani Environmental Justice Movement argue that regulations are necessary to save lives on the polluted Highveld

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
Environmental justice organisations and waste pickers say that burning rubbish will cause air pollution and take away livelihoods. (Chris Louw/groundWork)

Garbage plan: Johannesburg’s planned waste incinerator sparks outrage

Environmental justice organisations and waste pickers say that burning rubbish will cause air pollution and take away livelihoods

  • Sheree Bega
9 min read
Dire: Sasol has been allowed, for years, to exceed the minimum emission standards despite sulpher dioxide and other pollutants contributing to ill-health and death. Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Getty Images

Creecy’s Sasol decision ‘makes a mockery’ of air pollution laws

Life After Coal slams the environment minister’s decision to allow the company further leniency

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
The Stellenbosch University team, together with Rham Equipment company, retrofits a fuel-driven minibus taxi, converting it into an electric vehicle. Photo supplied

Electric transport ‘promising’ in Africa, says new report

The continent could emerge as a leader in decarbonising its transport sector

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read