Following ongoing complaints from residents about a recurring chemical odour in parts of Alberton, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has responded by confirming its awareness of the issue and its intention to investigate further.

Zweli Dlamini, CoE spokesperson, said: “The city has taken note of the media enquiry from Alberton Record regarding ongoing concerns from residents about a persistent chemical odour in parts of Alberton over the past two years. We acknowledge and appreciate the community’s vigilance in reporting environmental concerns that may affect public health and well-being.”

Dlamini explained, chemical odours can come from various sources, such as manufacturing or processing industries, sewer system spillages, industrial or household effluents entering wetlands or water bodies, and improper storage or disposal of chemicals.

“Because of the undefined nature of the reported odour and the broad range of possible sources, it is difficult to conclusively identify the origin of the smell without more specific information,” Dlamini added.

The city is urging residents to assist by logging complaints with as much detail as possible.

Complaints should include:

• A description of the odour (sulfur-like, sweet, burning plastic)

• The exact date, time, and location of detection

• How long the smell lasts and how frequently it occurs

• Weather conditions at the time (hot, windy, rainy)

• Any visible or unusual activity (spills, smoke, drainage)

Complaints can be logged through the city’s call centre at 08 605 43000 or the MyEkurhuleni app, where each report receives a unique reference number and is directed to the relevant departments for follow-up and inspection.

“We also encourage industries operating in the area to ensure full compliance with environmental regulations and implement appropriate odour management systems,” said Dlamini.

“The city takes all environmental complaints seriously and remains committed to protecting the health of our residents.”

To support transparency and ensure proper tracking, residents are asked to forward their complaint reference numbers to the Alberton Record at cvdwalt@caxton.co.za after logging a report with the city.

The Alberton Record will monitor developments and engage with city officials to track investigation outcomes and patterns related to the ongoing odour complaints.

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