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12 July 2022 Media Release: Health Surveillance of Premises – places of public gatherings

Media Release: Health Surveillance of Premises – places of public gatherings

For immediate release
12 July 2022

Health surveillance of premises is a function of the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP). They are required to promote safe, healthy, and hygienic conditions at all premises through the identification, monitoring, and evaluation of health risks, nuisance, and hazards.

When conducting health surveillance of premises, the EHPs must:

  • assess aspects such as ventilation and indoor air quality, lighting, moisture-proofing, thermal quality, structural safety and floor space;
  • assess overcrowded, unhygienic or unsatisfactory health conditions on any residential, commercial, industrial or other occupied premises;
  • monitor all buildings and all other permanent or temporary physical structures used for residential, public or institutional purposes, and the facilities in connection therewith and the immediate precincts;
  • ensure the prevention and abatement of any condition on any premises; and ensuring the health and safety of public transport facilities and public gathering places which for example needs to comply with the following National Standards of the Garden Route District Municipality’s Municipal Health By-Laws, PG. 8018 of 10 December 2018:

Waste Management-

The management of waste on the premises should comply with the relevant By-laws of the Local Authority of jurisdiction, and regulated by that Local Authority.

Refuse bins should be provided at strategic points throughout the premises for collection.

On-site management of waste should be available on the premises during events, for management of spillages and littering, to prevent any nuisances from occurring.

Arrangements should be in place between the event manager and the Local Authority, regarding waste management during and after an event.

Drinking Water supply-

In the case of an event, potable water should be available at strategic points throughout the premises/area.

The water must comply with the South African National Water Standards (SANS 241)

Sanitation facilities-

Sanitary facilities to be provided for a population of up to:


A site plan outlining the type and location of sanitary facilities during events especially for short-term events. The EHP will examine the proposal to make sure no annoyances will arise.

EHPs are stationed throughout the region. Members of the public are welcome to make contact with the following chief EHPs, should the need arise:

Mossel Bay – Mr. Sam Bendle
Tel:  044 693 0006
Address C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay.

George: Outeniqua – Ms. Emmy Douglas
Tel: 044 803 1501
Address: Mission Street, Industrial Area, George, 6530

George: Wilderness – Mr. Pieter Raath
Tel: 044 803 1501
Address: Mission Street, Industrial Area, George

Klein Karoo Region – Mr. Desmond Paulse
Chief: Municipal Health (Klein Karoo)
Tel: 044 272 2241 / Cell: 083 678 6530
Address: 94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn

Knysna Region – Mr. James McCarthy
Chief: Knysna
Tel: 044 382 7214 / Cell: 082 805 9417
Address: 26A Queen Street, Knysna

Bitou Region – Mr. Gawie Vos
Tel: 044 501 1600
Address: 7 Gibb Street, Plettenberg Bay

Hessequa Region – Mr. Haemish Herwels
Tel: 028 713 2438 / Cell: 083 678 6545
Address: 23 Michell Street, Riversdale, 6670

Kannaland Region – George Hendriksz
Tel: 044 272 2241 / Cell: 082 907 3492
Address: 15 Regent Street, Oudtshoorn

ENDS