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Author: Herman Pieters

4 June 2026 Media Statement: Public urged to stop from spreading false information about food safety and shops operated by foreign nationals

Media Statement: Public urged to stop from spreading false information about food safety and shops operated by foreign nationals

4 June 2026

The rendering of Municipal Health Services by Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP’s) within the district remains the responsibility of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM). Food control includes the regular inspection of food premises, sampling of foodstuffs offered to the public, and the monitoring of compliance with legislation.

EHPs must ensure that food sold and distributed within the district are fit for human consumption. Food is sold at both formal and informal establishments, such as supermarkets, restaurants, food stalls, spaza shops, street vendors, and other informal food outlets operating within the municipality’s area of jurisdiction. These facilities are routinely monitored and inspected to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.

In recent years, social media has become a significant platform for the sharing of information and opinions, including matters related to food safety. While these platforms can play an important role in raising awareness, they can also contribute to the rapid spread of misinformation and unverified allegations.

The GRDM is therefore making a serious appeal to members of the public to refrain from circulating unverified information, rumours, or allegations regarding the distribution of food and, more specifically, claims that foodstuffs are being deliberately poisoned by foreign nationals operating within our communities. Such statements are not only irresponsible but can also create unnecessary fear that can lead to xenophobia.

EHP’s are actively present in communities and conduct ongoing inspections and investigations throughout the district. Any concerns regarding food safety, food-related illnesses, or suspected non-compliance should be reported directly to the to the Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management and Air Quality on 082 803 5161or e-mail jcompion@gardenroute.gov.za. Reports received through official channels are investigated thoroughly and objectively in accordance with established procedures.

Over the years, the municipality has received several complaints relating to alleged foreign objects found in packaged food products, including chips, biscuits, and similar food items. Each complaint was subjected to a comprehensive investigation, including inspections of premises and the sampling and examination of the products concerned. To date, no evidence has been found to substantiate claims that foreign objects were intentionally placed in food products at the locations where complaints were reported.

Public cooperation is essential in maintaining community trust, promoting social cohesion, and safeguarding the health and well-being of all residents.

ENDS

25 May 2026 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Receives Gold Recognition for Municipal Health Excellence

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Receives Gold Recognition for Municipal Health Excellence

Issued on behalf of the Office of the Executive Mayor, Marais Kruger

25 May 2026

“It is a proud moment to announce that Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Community Services Department has been awarded a Gold Certification of Recognition by the Western Cape Provincial Government (WCG) Department of Health and Wellness,” said Marais Kruger, GRDM Executive Mayor. The award reads: For technological advancement in Environmental Health Norms and Standards during the 2025/26 financial year and achieving 97.8%”.

“The Gold Certification positions GRDM as a provincial leader in Municipal Health innovation and climate-responsive service delivery,” said Mayor Kruger.

According to the GRDM Snr. Manager: Municipal Health, Waste Management and Air Quality, “My Unit achieved a score of 97.8% for Municipal Health initiatives and Climate Change programme”. The Silver Recognition Certificate was awarded to a Metropolitan Municipality – the City of Cape Town, while the Bronze Recognition Certificate was presented to the West Coast District Municipality.

Mayor Kruger also extended his congratulations to the Mayoral Committee Chairperson for Community Services, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard; Municipal Manager Monde Stratu; Executive Manager, Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu; her Senior Manager, Chiefs and all EHPs – congratulations on your achievement, professionalism, and innovation.”

“The award acknowledged GRDM’s comprehensive community educational material developed as part of its Climate Change Programme, aimed at strengthening public awareness and resilience regarding climate-related health and environmental risks.”

“The municipality’s innovative technology-driven Municipal Health Programme received commendation for enabling EHPs to work smarter and more efficiently in serving communities across the district.”

The Provincial Department also recognised the critical role played by the GRDM EHPs during the George building collapse disaster response. “Municipal Health officials were instrumental in monitoring and ensuring the safe provision of food and water to rescue workers operating on-site during the emergency operation,” concluded Mayor Kruger.

Feature Image: Proudly displaying the Gold Certificate of Recognition Award that GRDM’s Municipal Health Services won, from left to right are the GRDM leaders pictured: Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu, Executive Manager: Community Services; Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, MMC: Community Services, Marais Kruger, Executive Mayor; Monde Stratu, Municipal Manager; and Johan Compion, Snr. Mgr: Manager: Municipal Health, Waste Management and Air Quality.

ENDS

55 Commis II Chef Positions Available onboard MSC Cruises

SHOSHOLOZA OCEAN ACADEMY – EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: 55 COMMIS II CHEF POSITIONS AVAILABLE ONBOARD MSC CRUISES

Garden Route District Municipality invites unemployed persons male or female residing within the Garden Route District Municipal area, to apply for Commi II Chef opportunities as part of a Garden Route Skills Mecca Initiative. Opportunities are currently available within the following municipal areas within the Garden Route District.

The total number of opportunities for a municipal area (Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Bitou, Oudtshoorn and Kannaland), range between 7 and 8 each Municipality.

Applicants must register and apply using the manual application form found on the Garden Route District Municipality website https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/manual-job-applications/ and submit applications to the GRDM office in respective municipal areas/ towns.

Or register and Apply here with a PC/Laptop: https://tinyurl.com/34unespk

Application Document Requirements

  • Training certification qualification if required -With CV application.
  • Police Clearance.
  • Passport or Passport application.
  • Body Mass Index review must be below 35.

The GRDM will only consider applications in full and if the following documents have been attached: 

  • A copy of South African ID Document certified within last three months.
  • A copy of highest educational qualifications certified within last three months.
  • An updated copy of your CV that confirms previous work experience.

Program and Entry Requirements

  • Minimum 1 – 2 years’ work experience is required.
  • Relevant experience in a hotel or restaurant establishment.
  • Industry training from a reputable college/institution certification.
  • Exceptional personality and attitude.
  • Excellent grooming standards.
  • Passionate and career driven individual.
  • Company knowledge.
  • CV with photo-On Application.

For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact MS Nolwando Sambokwe at 044-803 1363 1345, or Ms. Dineo Ramasesane at 044 803 1447 during office hours only.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within two months of the closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.

Closing date: 22 May 2026
Notice number: 42/2026

Garden Route Multi-Agency Command Centre Update 1 on 6 May 2026 at 08h45

Garden Route Multi-Agency Command Centre Update 1 on 6 May 2026 at 08h45

Issued by Garden Route District Municipality

Local Municipalities remain the first responders to incidents within their respective areas, while the Garden Route District Municipality continues to provide support, coordination and additional resources where required through its Disaster Management Centre.

CROSS-BOUNDARY IMPACTS

  • The Garden Route district is cut off from the Central Karoo District because Meiringspoort and Swartberg Passes have been closed until further notice.

SAFETY ADVISORIES (ABC’s)

  • A. Be careful of parking under large trees and traveling in general. Saturated ground may cause trees or branches to fall unexpectedly, posing a risk to vehicles and pedestrians. Only travel when necessary and remain alert on the roads.
  • B. Avoid low-lying bridges, drifts and flooded river crossings. Fast-flowing water can rise rapidly and may sweep away vehicles or pedestrians. Never attempt to cross a flooded bridge or roadway.
  • C. Multiple areas are currently experiencing unplanned power interruptions. Residents are urged to remain cautious around electrical infrastructure and to treat all power lines as live.
  • D. Motorists are advised to exercise caution on the N2 between Klein Brak River and Great Brak River due to sand and debris on the roadway. Reduced speeds are advised. Relevant teams from SANRAL and Mossel Bay Municipality are attending to the area.

DISTRICT COORDINATED ACTIONS

  • District Roads are coordinated by GRDM and those that are open and closed will be published during the course of the incident.

WEATHER INTELLIGENCE

Majority of the rain measured is at the Eastern part of the region.

  • Near George Airport: 53,6mm
  • Witfontein: 76,8 mm
  • George Tierkpop: 61,0 mm
  • George Jonkershoek: 88,8 mm
  • George Waboomskraal: 117,6 mm
  • Rheebok-Sandhoogte: 40,4 mm
  • Wilderness Dieprivier: 73,6 mm
  • Wilderness heights: 60,8 mm
  • Herold Lovain ARS: 78,4 mm
  • Knysna Charlesford: 122,4 mm
  • Knysna Kleingrysbos: 120,2 mm
  • Knysna Diepwalle: 105,8 mm
  • Plett: 92,6 mm
  • Plett Newlands: 113,2 mm
  • Stormsrivier Witteklip: 82,0 mm
  • Stormsrivier Forest Fern: 114,2 mm
  • Knysna Kruisfontein: 99,8 mm
  • Mosselbaai: 20,6 mm
  • Mosselbaai Robinson Pass: 76,0 mm
  • Witsand Westfield: 8,2 mm
  • Riversdal: 20,0 mm
  • Riversdal Grootbos: 19,8 mm
  • Riversdal Assegaaibosh: 15,2 mm
  • Stilbaai: 13,6 mm
  • Heidelberg Kruisrivier: 14,6 mm
  • Ladismith: 17,6 mm
  • Oudtshoorn: 32,2 mm
  • De Rust Std: 61,6 mm
    Kammanasieberg Vinkrivier: 82,6 mm
  • Avontuur Bellevue: 83,0 mm
  • Avontuur Boskloof: 101,8 mm
  • Uniondale De Hoop: 136,2 mm

ACTIVATION OF DISASTER STRUCTURES

Two Swift Water Rescue Teams from Cape Town SAPS are stationed in Oudtshoorn and Knysna (16 people in total)

Only follow
Follow municipal Facebook Pages and WhatsApp Channels for updates in town areas:

Report Provincial Road Issues via Download the Roads4U app
Google Play
iOS

The Garden Route District Municipality Disaster Management Unit encourages the public to report flood-related incidents to the 24/7 Emergency Call Centre of the GRDM – 044 805 5071 or WhatsApp 081 709 5193

350 Training Opportunities (For unemployed persons): Process Control Skills Programme

350 TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES (UNEMPLOYED)
Process Control Skills Programme NQF Level 5 (3-months)

For Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Bitou and Kannaland

Some of the criteria include:

  • 30% not previously employed
  • 70% must have contributed to UIF
  • Ages 18 – 59
  • Male and female
  • Closing date: 24 April 2026

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must register and apply using the online RED BUTTON (Unemployment Solutions) on the Garden Route Skills Mecca Web site at https://skillsmecca.gardenroute.gov.za/ or browse to this shortlink: https://tinyurl.com/34unespk.

Those unable to access the website, can apply by printing this application form https://tinyurl.com/28m8vxnt and submitting it to the address listed.

For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact Nolwando Sambokwe at 044 803 1345 or e-mail nolwando@gardenroute.gov.za, or Sisanda Sajini at 044 803 1450 or e-mail sisandas@gardenroute.gov.za during office hours only.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within two months of the closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.

450 Training Opportunities (for Unemployed persons): Quality Management Systems

450 TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES (UNEMPLOYED)
Quality Management Systems (QMS), NQF Level 5 (6-months)

For Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Bitou and Kannaland

Some of the criteria include:

  • 30% not previously employed
  • Ages 18 to 59, Male and female
  • 70% must have contributed to UIF
  • Closing date: 24 April 2026

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must register and apply using the online RED BUTTON (Unemployment Solutions) on the Garden Route Skills Mecca Web site at https://skillsmecca.gardenroute.gov.za/ or browse to this shortlink: https://tinyurl.com/34unespk.

Those unable to access the website, can apply by printing this application form https://tinyurl.com/28m8vxnt and submitting it to the address listed.

For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact Nolwando Sambokwe at 044 803 1345 or e-mail nolwando@gardenroute.gov.za, or Sisanda Sajini at 044 803 1450 or e-mail sisandas@gardenroute.gov.za during office hours only.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within two months of the closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.

Code B and C Driver’s License Training Opportunities for employed and unemployed persons from rural parts of Kannaland (Zoar, Ladismith, Calitzdorp and Van Wyksdorp).

Code B and C Driver’s License Training Opportunities for employed and unemployed persons from Kannaland rural areas (Zoar, Ladismith, Calitzdorp and Van Wyksdorp).

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) invites employed and unemployed persons between ages of 18 to 40, male or female residing within the Garden Route District Municipal area, to apply for an opportunity to be trained for a Drivers License Code B and C as part of a Garden Route Skills Mecca initiative.

Closing Date: 22 April 2026

Opportunities are currently available within the above mentioned Kannaland rural areas:

  • Zoar
  • Ladismith
  • Calitzdorp
  • Van Wyksdorp

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must register and apply using the online RED BUTTON (Unemployment Solutions) on the Garden Route Skills Mecca Web site at https://skillsmecca.gardenroute.gov.za/ or browse to this shortlink: https://tinyurl.com/34unespk. 

Those unable to access the website, can apply by printing this application form https://tinyurl.com/28m8vxnt and submitting it to the address listed.

For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact Nolwando Sambokwe at 044 803 1345 or e-mail nolwando@gardenroute.gov.za, or Sisanda Sajini at 044 803 1450 or e-mail sisandas@gardenroute.gov.za during office hours only.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within two months of the closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.

 

Code B and C Driver’s License Training Opportunities for employed and unemployed persons from rural parts of George (Uniondale, Haarlem, Avontuur, Waboomskraal, Touwsranten, Hoekwil, Kleinkrants and Noll)

Code B and C Driver’s License Training Opportunities for employed and unemployed persons from rural parts of George (Uniondale, Haarlem, Avontuur, Waboomskraal, Touwsranten, Hoekwil, Kleinkrants and Noll)

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) invites employed and unemployed persons between ages of 18 to 40, male or female residing within the Garden Route District Municipal area, to apply for an opportunity to be trained for a Drivers License Code B and C as part of a Garden Route Skills Mecca initiative.

Closing Date: 22 April 2026

Opportunities are currently available within the above mentioned George rural areas:

  • Uniondale;
  • Haarlem;
  • Avontuur;
  • Waboomskraal;
  • Touwsranten;
  • Hoekwil;
  • Kleinkrants; and
  • Noll.

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must register and apply using the online RED BUTTON (Unemployment Solutions) on the Garden Route Skills Mecca Web site at https://skillsmecca.gardenroute.gov.za/ or browse to this shortlink: https://tinyurl.com/34unespk

Those unable to access the website, can apply by printing this application form https://tinyurl.com/28m8vxnt and submitting it to the address listed.

For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact Nolwando Sambokwe at 044 803 1345 or e-mail nolwando@gardenroute.gov.za, or Sisanda Sajini at 044 803 1450 or e-mail sisandas@gardenroute.gov.za during office hours only.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within two months of the closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.