The City of Tshwane has confirmed it will approach the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Bloemfontein to challenge a ruling that declared its controversial city-cleansing levy unlawful....Click to Read More >>➤
The municipality introduced the levy in July 2025, imposing a monthly charge of R194 on residents and businesses using private waste collection services instead of the city’s own system. The tariff sparked widespread backlash and was swiftly challenged in court by lobby group AfriForum.
Earlier this year, the Pretoria High Court ruled that the city’s cleansing levy was unlawful. Tshwane’s subsequent application for leave to appeal the ruling was also dismissed, leaving the city with limited legal options — until now.
Despite the court’s decision, some residents have continued to receive bills reflecting the R194 charge, raising concerns about compliance and transparency. The levy reportedly affects around 250,000 customers who rely on private waste collectors across the capital.
Speaking at an event on Thursday, Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya said the municipality remains firm in its position and will not abandon the matter.
“We are taking our fight to the Supreme Court of Appeal because the city has a by-law that allows us to implement a cleansing levy — just as the City of Cape Town does,” Moya explained. “We need the courts to clarify whether the City of Tshwane has the right to impose such a levy.”
Moya added that while the High Court ruling struck down the levy, it does not impact the city’s funded budget status. The expected R278 million in surplus revenue from the levy had not yet been allocated for expenditure, she noted.
The city maintains that the levy is necessary to ensure fairness and sustainability in waste management funding, arguing that even residents using private collection services benefit indirectly from municipal waste-cleansing operations.
AfriForum, however, has described the levy as unlawful and exploitative, accusing the municipality of double-charging residents for services already covered by private contracts.
The Supreme Court of Appeal’s decision will determine whether the capital can legally enforce the cleansing levy — a ruling that could set a precedent for similar municipal policies across South Africa. ...Click to Read More >>➤
