The Bayswater and Kagisanong air stations are currently non-operational. 

This is a concern for the Bloemfontein-based Mangaung Metro Mayor, Mxolisi Siyonzana, and Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Maggy Sotyu. Siyonzana says the air station situated at the Pelonomi Hospital is the only one currently operational and serving its purpose. Their plans are to have the others functional in no time. Siyonzana says this is important for the environmental issues, including curbing pollution in the city. 

An official explained ambient monitoring stations are established to provide valuable information that informs the development of several tools and strategies to improve the quality of air:

"We, as Mangaung, asked the Deputy Minister that we need assistance in terms of making sure that all stations are working well," Siyonzana adds.

He also raised concern about the landfill sites around Mangaung, which has in the past few years been a thorny issue for the metro.

This week the mayor and the metro launched a campaign to reclaim the city by removing filth from illegal dumping sites.

Sotyu, accompanied by Siyonzana, conducted an oversight visit to the Pelonomi Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station on Friday. She says the stations fell into disrepair a few years ago, but the department intervened to ensure that they are functional.

"Information from the Pelonomi station shows that air pollution is of concern in the metro, especially particulate matter. Transport-related emissions are most intense in Mangaung and along the major road networks, linking the city to surrounding provinces," Sotyu adds.

OFM News