Tshwane reintroduces cleaning levy to combat environmental degradation

The Tshwane metro has reinstated the cleaning levy as part of its 2025/26 budget to tackle the growing environmental challenges in the metro.

This comes as the metro battles ongoing environmental degradation and the need for more effective waste management strategies.

The cleaning levy is aimed at ensuring that the metro can reinvest in environmental initiatives, improve cleanliness, and comply with national legislation regarding waste management.

According to Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the primary reason for bringing back the levy is the worsening environmental conditions in many parts of the metro.

Mashigo said the metro is seeking to comply with Section 74 of the Municipal Systems Act, which mandates that municipal tariff policies should promote the efficient use of resources, waste recycling, and environmental sustainability.

The introduction of this levy will see residents using private refuse collection services charged R185 per month.

He said by reinstating this charge, the metro hopes to generate dedicated revenue that will be reinvested into environmental upkeep, improved waste disposal, and maintaining clean public spaces.

“The levy aligns with Section 24 of the Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to a safe and healthy environment,” said Mashigo.

The revenue generated from the levy will be channelled directly into projects aimed at cleaning and maintaining the metro’s environment.

This includes enhancing waste collection and disposal services, promoting recycling initiatives, addressing illegal dumping, and improving public cleanliness in areas not currently covered by municipal waste services.

Mashigo said this initiative is not simply a revenue-raising measure but a strategic move to reverse environmental decline.

He said the cleaning levy will not apply to all residents equally.

“Households and businesses without municipal waste accounts will be charged the levy, regardless of whether they use private waste removal services.

“Vacant land owners with properties valued above R250 000 will also be required to pay the levy unless they already use municipal waste collection services.”

He said low-income households with properties valued below R250 000 and registered indigent households will be exempt from the charge.

Mashigo mentioned that this approach aims to fairly distribute the cost of the metro cleanliness while ensuring that vulnerable residents are not financially burdened.

He stated the levy’s reinstatement followed the required public participation process.

The proposal was included in the Integrated Development Plan and the Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework, which allowed for community input before final approval.

“In terms of transparency, the metro has committed to complying with the Municipal Systems Act, which requires that all revenue collected is properly accounted for and used for its intended purpose.”

However, DA Caucus leader in Tshwane, Cilliers Brink, said the metro must find other options to fund its budget.

“Last year, my mayoral committee and I rejected the idea of a city cleansing levy.

“We understood that we could not tax the city out of financial distress; whatever short-term gains could be made by billing people more would be negated within months as levels of non-payment rose,” said Brink.

He said that as the metro’s budget is now open for public participation, Tshwane residents must reject the mayor’s clean city tax.

“Residents must support our proposals for tax relief. Tshwane’s financial rescue is possible without breaking the backs of residents.”

ALSO READ: Collect your SASSA children’s grant today

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.