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15 November 2024 Media Release: GRDM and stakeholders continue with Blitz Operations and Health Education in communities of the Garden Route

Media Release: GRDM and stakeholders continue with Blitz Operations and Health Education in communities of the Garden Route

For immediate release
15 November 2024

 Continued Blitz Operations

On 12 November 2024, Garden Route District Municipality Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) accompanied by Mossel Bay Municipality’s Law Enforcement Officers and the South African Police Service (SAPS) from Kwanonqaba and Herbertsdale, conducted a joint Blitz Operation in the Mossel Bay area. During the operation, five (5) Spaza Shops were visited and inspected.

Following thorough inspections by EHPs, several foodstuffs were confiscated for non-compliance to the labelling regulations, damaged packaging (foodstuffs got freezer burn due to packaging being torn), expired products, rotten vegetables and fruit and best-before-dates being tampered with.

Mossel Bay Law Enforcement Officers then issued three (3) Notices for shop owners to appear in Court for failing to have valid Business Licences.

In Oudtshoorn’s Bongolethu area, GRDM Klein Karoo EHPs, alongside SAPS, Oudtshoorn Municipality Law Enforcement, and Immigration officials, conducted a similar Blitz Operation on 13 November 2024.

During the operation, from the four (4) of the six (6) spaza shops that was planned to be visited, two (2) shops were closed when the team arrived.

Furthermore, of all the premises visited and inspected in the Sector 1 of Bongolethu, three (3) of the premises was in an acceptable state, however one (1) was temporarily closed due to hygiene concerns. The team will be conducted a follow-up inspection at the premises that was closed during the blitz operation.

GRDM EHPs serving the Hessequa region, in conjunction with the Hessequa Municipality’s Law Enforcement Services and SAPS in the Melkhoutfontein and Heidelberg areas conducted  blitz operations at Spaza shops in Melkhoutfontein on 12 November 2024 and in Heidelberg on 14 November 2024. The team was also accompanied by GRDM Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, who monitored the activities of the operation.

Considering the recent deaths related to the consumption of food products bought from Spaza shops in various parts of the country, the team focused their attention on Food safety, with emphasis placed on hygiene; the sale of damaged (rusted and dented) products and products that is not labelled properly and the storage and sale of pesticides and insecticides. Furthermore, the operation was used as an education platform to address the sale of products that have reached their best before/ sell by/ use by dates.

During the operation damaged products, perishable products(yogurts, fresh milk, cheese and milk based juices), which have reached their use by dates and those not labelled properly, were confiscated and condemned. Subsequently, these products were destroyed and buried at the local landfill site, under the supervision of EHPs, Law Enforcement and SAPS.

GRDM urges the public to be vigilant when buying food products and that the public double check that the date markings on products are within the timeframe before buying them.

Door-to-door Health and Hygiene Awareness

Recently, the GRDM EHPs from the Outeniqua (George) region conducted a door-to-door health and hygiene awareness campaign within the Parkdene community, visiting households to educate residents on essential health practices. During the campaign, the team shared essential information such as health practices, including proper sanitation, waste management, handwashing and other hygiene practices to help prevent the spreading of diseases.

These initiatives aimed to raise awareness, address specific health concerns, and empower residents to create a cleaner, healthier environment. By promoting these practices, the campaign seeks to reduce the spread of diseases within the community.

Continue to report any incidents of suspected counterfeit or tampered foods, members of the public are urged to contact their nearest SAPS or reach out directly to the Garden Route District Municipality’s Municipal Health Services.

Johan Compion – Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management & Air Quality Control

Desmond Paulse – Manager: Municipal Health Klein Karoo

Rinay Cloete – Acting Chief: Municipal Health Mossel Bay

  • E-mail: rinay@gardenroute.gov.za
  • Tel: 044 693 0006 /Cell: 083 630 6108
  • C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay

Emmy Douglas – Chief: Municipal Health George (Outeniqua)

Jessica Erasmus – Acting Chief: Municipal Health George (Wilderness)

James McCarthy – Chief: Municipal Health Knysna (Lakes)

Gawie Vos – Chief: Municipal Health Bitou (Lakes)

Haemish Herwels – Chief: Municipal Health Hessequa (Langeberg)

ENDS