Nothing hazy about the impact of diesel emissions
29 October 2025
The City is one of just a few authorities who conduct diesel vehicle testing in the country, despite transport related emissions contributing significantly to deteriorating air quality in all major metropolitan cities.
The emission of dark smoke from vehicles that are using public roads is a contravention of the City’s Air Quality Management By-law 2016.
City Health’s Air Quality Management Unit conducts daily roadside testing of diesel vehicles to ensure that the contribution of diesel vehicle emissions to ambient air quality and visible ‘brown haze’ is minimised.
Over the past two financial years, the team has tested more than 13 000 vehicles in partnership with the City’s Traffic Services, who are tasked with pulling over suspected high polluting vehicles for assessment at roadside testing sites.
Thanks to strict enforcement, improved diesel vehicle engine technology and fuel formulation, failure rates decrease from around 17% of vehicles in the year 2000, to well below one percent presently.
‘We’ve made great strides, but consistency is key. The City reminds motorists to please do their bit by ensuring that they maintain their vehicles regularly, and make use of fuel with the lowest sulphur content. These measures not only reduce wear and tear and contribute to a safer journey, but they are also kinder to the environment and the health of the public,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
Other ways in which the public can assist are:
Complaints need to include the particulars of the complainant, details of the offending vehicle (make and registration number), time, date and location of the offence and the direction the vehicle was travelling in.
Where motorists are found to be in contravention of the by-law, they are given a written notice to repair the vehicle and arrange to retest the vehicle to demonstrate compliance.
In instances of severe non-compliance, City Health can issue a spot summons of:
R1 000 for the unlawful emission of dark smoke
R2 500 for non-compliance with a reasonable order
R2 500 for non-compliance with a notice to submit a vehicle for retest
R2 500 for non-compliance with a repair notice and retest
Further steps can include the impounding of the vehicle and the recovery of the costs from the owner.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
