Mayor urges action: What's behind Joburg's 'rotten eggs' smell?
Joburg Mayor Dada Morero says he has faith in the work of the Department of Environmental Services, which is probing the source of a bad smell in parts of the city, including Fourways and Sandton.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
Residents in Johannesburg have described inhaling a smell that resembles "rotten eggs," raising immediate concerns about the presence of potentially harmful pollutants in the air.
Areas affected by the odour include Sandton, Randburg, Roodepoort, Fourways, and Parktown,
Now City of Joburg Mayor, Mayor Dada Morero, has expressed his full confidence in the Environmental and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD), which has initiated investigations into the odour that has drawn a growing wave of complaints from affected communities.
The source of this unsettling smell first came to light on January 16, 2026.
This comes as the city has responded to a growing wave of complaints from residents about a pervasive, sulphur-like odour that has spread across several neighbourhoods.
This alarming situation has shifted the focus of local authorities and environmental experts as they seek to understand and address the issue.
Speaking during a citywide service delivery and by-law enforcement operation in Newtown, Morero emphasised the capabilities of the EISD.
"I have faith in our environmental department. Fortunately, we have a very strong team. They have the right and qualified professionals, who will resolve this current issue, having done very well to address a similar concern in Kya Sands recently," he stated.
His remarks signal a strong commitment from local authorities to remedy the situation swiftly and effectively.
In light of the high volume and geographical spread of the complaints, the city swiftly launched an investigation to identify the source of this perturbing odour.
Nombulelo, Kubheka, resident of Fourways, indicated that while she was not aware of the probe, she had recently smelled a strange odour in the area.
"Well, I was not aware of the probe, but I remember smelling an unfamiliar smell in and around our neighbourhood. We hope that the probe by the city will help resolve the matter."
According to city officials, the City of Johannesburg operates a robust network of six air quality monitoring stations, which track various pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), oxides of nitrogen (NOₓ), and ozone (O₃).
However, initial assessments indicated that the smell was likely linked to hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), a compound commonly associated with industrial emissions.
City spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane said that EISD officials conducted extensive field surveys across the impacted regions, confirming that the sulphur-like smell was not localised but rather widespread, thereby indicating that the source could be transboundary.
"Experts suggest current weather patterns may be amplifying the issue, as they facilitate the long-range transport of pollutants from the Highveld Priority Area and industrial operations situated in Mpumalanga Province. Power generation and petrochemical facilities in that area are often responsible for such emissions, aligning with the characteristics of the reported odour," he said.
Modingoane revealed that this is not an isolated incident, as the city has recorded similar episodes over the past five years, particularly between January and March, when atmospheric conditions are predisposed to long-range pollutant movement.
In response to these recurring events, the city has invested in specialised monitoring equipment for H₂S, which is currently in use at the Buccleuch and Alexandra air quality stations.
"It is crucial to highlight that Johannesburg does not host any major heavy industrial activities. All industries within the city are licensed and continuously monitored by the Environmental Management Inspectorate, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations."
As a precautionary response to this situation, the city has advised community members to remain indoors during phases when the sulphur-like odour intensifies and to limit strenuous outdoor activities.
"Vulnerable populations, including the elderly and children, should be closely monitored for symptoms such as throat and eye irritation, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, where prolonged exposure could lead to more severe respiratory and neurological issues," he added.