The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment presented a R625 million proposal on 9 June to transfer management of 60 air quality monitoring stations to the South African Weather Service. The plan aims to address the fact that more than half of the country's 130 stations are not fully operational.
Acting Deputy Director-General Dr Patience Gwaze outlined the three-phase plan over 10 years during a portfolio committee meeting. It would begin with 26 stations in Mpumalanga, North West, Gauteng, Limpopo and Free State, followed by stations in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, and finally stations in Western Cape and Northern Cape. DFFE Minister Willie Aucamp stated that the interventions represent a pragmatic approach to strengthening air quality monitoring networks while addressing existing constraints. The proposal also seeks to support a future national air-quality forecasting system. A study by the Centre for Clean Energy and Research and Greenpeace Africa estimated that air pollution caused approximately 42,000 deaths in South Africa in 2023. Gauteng province reported an increase in fully operational stations from 12 to 19 since October 2025. The National Treasury has requested a detailed business plan, and the department is also engaging donors. Gauteng officials noted the approach should be discussed with municipalities as station owners.