Tshwane's cleansing charge set to begin amid legal challenges
Image: Helenus Kruger / City of Tshwane
The City of Tshwane's contentious cleansing charge is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, in the face of AfriForum's ongoing legal challenge against it.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment and Agriculture Management, Obakeng Ramabodu, confirmed that the City's cleaning charge will proceed, saying it will enable the City to provide and enhance waste management services for all residents.
The new levy targets gated communities and shopping malls that do not have existing city waste accounts but use private waste collection services, charging a monthly tariff of R194.
AfriForum slammed the City of Tshwane's proposed cleansing levy, deeming it unlawful due to double taxation and claiming it would further burden residents.
The DA in Tshwane has also voiced opposition to the proposed levy, labelling it as just another tax burden on the city's residents who are already overtaxed.
Ramabodu said: 'Municipalities in South Africa provide essential public services, including refuse removal, street cleaning, and urban hygiene, typically funded through tariffs charged to residents and businesses. One such charge is the City cleansing charge.'
He clarified that the levy covers the costs of waste-related services, including collecting, transporting, and disposing of litter and refuse from public areas.
'The City of Tshwane cleansing charge as approved by Council will come into effect on July 1, 2025. The charge will assist the City to provide and improve waste management services to all residents in the City,' he said.
According to him, the City has a constitutional mandate under Section 156(1)(a) and Schedule 4 Part B of the South African Constitution to manage functions like cleansing and waste removal.
He acknowledged that some civil organizations, such as AfriForum, have expressed disapproval and taken legal action against the City's cleansing charge by approaching the North Gauteng High Court to have it overturned.
Ramabodu said the stance by AfriForum is regrettable and inexcusable.
He added that the City remains committed to its mandate of providing quality services to all residents and businesses, as required by the Constitution.
'In this context, the primary purpose of the city cleansing charge is to drive environmental objectives in line with environmental Legislation and the provision made by section 74 (2) (h) of Municipal System Act – and further ensure that the residents of Tshwane do benefit and live in a clean city,' he said.
Ramabodu explained that certain areas, like Wonderpark Estate and shopping centers such as Menlyn Mall, are being targeted because they have multiple bins but only pay for one, despite disposing of waste at city landfills through private waste collection services.
Deidré Steffens, AfriForum's local government affairs advisor, said AfriForum had done everything possible to avoid a legal dispute from the start.
'We approached the metro shortly after the council announced the plans for the levy in March this year and stressed that implementing it would result in an unfair double tax,' he said.
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