Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

Environmental Health

10 December 2024 Media Release: GRDM Waste Management Section Hosts Chemicals and Waste Management Training for Local Municipalities

Media Release: GRDM Waste Management Section Hosts Chemicals and Waste Management Training for Local Municipalities

10 December 2024

During the week of 2–6 December 2024, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Waste Management Section in collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) facilitated Chemicals and Waste Management training sessions for officials from local municipalities across the district.

The refresher training sessions, presented by DFFE, were extended to municipal officials across various roles. They focused on critical aspects such as legislation, policies, standards, regulations, and education & awareness in waste management. Participants included waste section officials, drivers, landfill operators, team leaders, LED officials, street sweepers, portfolio councillors, and recyclers within specific local municipalities.

“Waste management is a local government function, and it is crucial to refresh everyone’s knowledge on an ongoing basis of the best practices and trends.” The training aims to empower all stakeholders to improve waste management practices effectively in their communities, “ said GRDM Waste Management official Innocentia Sikweyiya.

While this week’s sessions focused on coastal municipalities, the inland local municipalities are scheduled to undergo similar training in 2025, ensuring that the entire district benefits from this comprehensive capacity-building initiative.

Training session held in Mossel Bay

Training session held in George.

Training session held in Knysna.

Training session held in Bitou.

-END-

29 November 2024 Media Release: Blitz Operations Continue with More Spaza Shops Visited

Media Release: Blitz Operations Continue with More Spaza Shops Visited

29 November 2023

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), through its Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs), continues to prioritise public health and safety by conducting inspections and monitoring food facilities, businesses, and other premises to ensure compliance with health regulations.

This past week, the following interventions took place in the different municipal areas:

Plettenberg Bay Municipal Health Office

Kurland – Plettenberg Bay

An operation in Kurland, Plettenberg Bay, was conducted in collaboration with the GRDM Municipal Health Office of Plettenberg Bay, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and Bitou Municipality Law Enforcement Officers. The operation aimed to ensure compliance with food safety regulations, promote health and hygiene education, and improve food safety standards across 10 spaza shops.

As a result of the intervention:

  • 4 spaza shops were closed due to structural issues,
  • 1 spaza shop was closed due to ownership concerns, and
  • 1 spaza shop was closed due to unhygienic conditions.

Kranshoek – Plettenberg Bay

A joint operation was conducted in Kranshoek, a settlement located approximately 15 kilometres outside Plettenberg Bay, on 18 November 2024. All 14 spaza shops in the area were visited.

Qolweni and Bossiesgif – Plettenberg Bay

Role players conducted a joint operation at spaza shops in the Qolweni and Bossiesgif areas of Plettenberg Bay on Thursday, 21 November 2024.

A total of 14 spaza shops were inspected, with health and hygiene education and training provided. Five shops were closed due to non-compliance.

Kwanokuthula – Plettenberg Bay

A total of 19 spaza shops in Kwanokuthula were inspected. One shop was closed due to non-compliance.

The final blitz operation is scheduled for next week (2-6 December 2024) in Green Valley, New Horizons, and Pine Trees. Bitou Municipality’s Town Planning and Economic Development and Planning commenced the Consent Use Applications in September 2024, allowing spaza shop owners to apply for consent use rights in terms of the Land Use Planning By-Law. All spaza shops in the targeted areas will be surveyed and mapped.

The application process for business licenses is active, with application documents available at Town Planning and the LED office of Bitou Municipality.

Mossel Bay Municipal Health Office

On Tuesday, 26 November 2024, the EHPs from the Mossel Bay office visited two shops in Klein-Brak River. On Wednesday, they continued their operation, inspecting five shops in the Kwanonqaba area and closing two due to noncompliance. On Thursday, four shops were inspected in Great-Brak River.

George Municipal Health Office

On Tuesday, 26 November 2024, the George office (both regions combined) conducted a blitz operation in the industrial area of George, focusing on wholesalers. This operation targeted wholesalers because spaza shops source their stock from these suppliers, and the aim was to ensure the safety of the stock being distributed.

A total of eight shops were visited, and three were closed due to poor hygiene and the absence of a valid Certificate of Acceptability (COA). The Department of Agriculture seized illegal insecticides and insecticides labelled in a foreign language.

Klein-Karoo Municipal Health Office

On Thursday, 28 November 2024, the GRDM Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel, and Portfolio Chairperson of Community Services, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, joined the EHPs from the Oudtshoorn Municipal Health Office to conduct inspections of spaza shops in the Dysselsdorp area.

Three shops were inspected, with two having had to be closed immediately, because they did not comply with health and safety standards.

Calitzdorp and Ladismith

On Wednesday, 27 November 2024, the EHP from the Klein Karoo Office conducted a spaza shop inspection in Calitzdorp, covering the Bergsig and Royal Heights areas. Nine shops were inspected. The EHP extended their inspection the following day, Thursday, to Ladismith, where 12 spaza shops were inspected in the Nissenville area.

For the past week, 109 door-to-door educational sessions have been conducted in the Klein Karoo area.

The public is urged to report any incidents of suspected counterfeit or tampered foodstuff. Contact SAPS or reach out directly to the following GRDM EHPs:

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)

Editors’ note:

Following the directive issued earlier this month by the President of the Republic of South Africa, spaza shops and food-handling facilities were required to register with their respective municipalities within 21 days. This mandate aims to strengthen compliance with health and safety standards.

GRDM EHPs, in collaboration with local municipality Law Enforcement Officers, Waste Management officials, Firefighters, SAPS, the National Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Home Affairs, have been conducting ongoing inspections of both formal and informal food traders across the region.

Operations focus on assessing local spaza shop owners’ adherence to health guidelines, including proper food handling, cleanliness, and safe food storage practices. Additionally, education is provided on maintaining hygienic conditions, managing waste, and preventing foodborne diseases. The overall goal is to ensure safer food practices and ultimately safeguard public health within the community.

-END-

26 November 2024 Media Release: Blitz operations continued this week with more spaza shops closed

Media Release: Blitz operations continued this week with more spaza shops closed

26 November 2023

Garden Route District Municipality Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) play a vital role in inspecting and monitoring food facilities, businesses, and other premises to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations—one of their many responsibilities.

Earlier this month, the President of the Republic of South Africa issued a directive mandating all spaza shops and food-handling facilities to register with their respective municipalities within 21 days to ensure compliance with regulations. The EHPs of GRDM have been continuously on the ground to check in at informal and formal food traders in collaboration with local municipality Law Enforcement Officers, Waste Management officials, Firefighters, the South African Police Service, National Department of Agriculture and the Department of Home Affairs.

It is important to note that only businesses that meet the required standards for a Certificate of Acceptability can obtain one. Unfortunately, over time, some businesses fail to maintain these standards, which necessitates their closure. There are also various other reasons why businesses are closed by other role players like SAPS, Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters and even Waste Management Officials. In some instances undocumented foreign nationals are found operating shops, although the CoAs were issued to a South African or a legal foreign national. This is because shop owners can change quite frequently, but then Local Municipalities and the GRDM are not informed about it.

The EHPs generally focus on the following key areas:

  • Validity of Certificates of Acceptability, as required under Regulation 638 of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972);
  • If businesses still maintain overall hygiene standards, stock food that is properly labelled, and monitor if shops are selling legal products

Mossel Bay Municipal Health Office

On Tuesday, 19 November 2024, the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from the Mossel Bay Municipal Health Office conducted a joint operation in the settlements of Brandwag and Ruiterbos, located outside Mossel Bay. During the operation, they inspected eight shops, four were closed due to non-compliance.

On Thursday, the EHPs continued their joint operations in the Mossel Bay CBD, Da Nova, Heiderand, and New Sunny Side areas. They inspected seven shops, three of which received Prohibition Notices due to non-compliance, including unhygienic conditions and poor ventilation. Officials from the Mossel Bay Municipality’s Waste Section, Law Enforcement, and SAPS joined the operation.

George Municipal Health Office

On Monday, 18 November 2024, the George EHPs conducted a Blitz Operation in Thembalethu, focusing on Zones 6 and 8. During the operation, seventeen spaza shops were inspected, with four of them closed for operating without a Certificate of Acceptability. This operation was carried out in collaboration with SAPS.

Yesterday, 25 November 2024, the Garden Route District Municipality Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs), in collaboration with George Municipality, the National Department of Agriculture, and the South African Police Services (SAPS), hosted an educational workshop aimed at empowering informal food traders in Thembalethu, George.

Approximately 200 informal food traders attended the session. The workshop included presentations by our EHPs and several key stakeholders involved in regulating informal food trading.

Oudtshoorn Municipal Health Office

GRDM EHPs, in collaboration with SAPS, Oudtshoorn Municipality’s Law Enforcement, and Immigration officials from the Department of Home Affairs, conducted inspections at four spaza shops in the Bongolethu area in Oudtshoorn. Three of the inspected premises were found to be in an acceptable condition, while one shop was temporarily closed due to hygiene issues. A follow-up inspection will be conducted to ensure compliance.

Knysna Municipal Health Office

A Workshop was convened on Wednesday, 20 November 2024, bringing together GRDM EHPs, SAPS and Knysna Municipality (all relevant Directorates). During this engagement, key issues related to the spaza shop and informal food trader business sector were discussed. The primary objective of the meeting was to ensure clarity on the different internal processes within each governmental role player. The goal was to develop a Standard Operating Procedure for business owners to follow when applying for licenses, permits and certificates.

Interactive Spaza Workshop in Knysna

A very successful collaborative workshop was held on Thursday, 21 November 2024, with participation from the following:

  • Owners of individual food warehouses/wholesalers located within the Knysna area
  • Individual spaza shop owners from the Greater Knysna area
  • Management of the Knysna Spaza Shop Committee
  • Garden Route District Municipal Health Services
  • Knysna SAPS
  • Knysna Municipality (all relevant Directorates)

During this event, all governmental stakeholders presented informational sessions to educate the business sector about their respective legislative mandates.

The Municipal Health section emphasized the importance of food safety through a presentation to participants, covering the following key aspects:

  • Health certification
  • The 5 Keys to Food Safety
  • Expired foodstuffs
  • Labelling

The spaza shop business owners were very well represented, with a total of 62 participants attending the information session.

The attendees were equipped with valuable information and knowledge to assist them in applying for the necessary documentation to achieve legislative compliance. However, it was emphasized that, as per the national directive from the President, all spaza shops must comply with the relevant legislation within the prescribed time frame.

Conclusion

A district task team has been established to strengthen enforcement in the district. The team consists of representatives from the Garden Route District Municipality, local municipalities in the district, the Department of Home Affairs, and SAPS. This team will conduct regular, unannounced compliance blitzes across the district. Businesses found violating regulations will face immediate action, including closure and prosecution. The Communication Unit from GRDM is also coordinating content and awareness material relating to food safety to the media, local municipalities, provincial health and GCIS, to name a few.

The public is urged to report any incidents of suspected counterfeit or tampered foodstuff. Contact SAPS or reach out directly to the following GRDM EHPs:

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)

-END-

18 November 2024 Media Release: Garden Route Clean Fires Campaign prize handover ceremony at Oakhill Primary School, Knysna 

Media Release: Garden Route Clean Fires Campaign prize handover ceremony at Oakhill Primary School, Knysna 

18 November 2024

On Friday, 15 November 2024, the Air Quality Management Unit of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) presented the 2024 Garden Route Clean Fires Campaign prize to the winning school, Oakhill Primary School in Knysna. The Executive Mayor of GRDM, Andrew Stroebel, and Councillor Jobieth Hoogbaard, GRDM Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services, joined Dr. Johan Schoeman for the handover ceremony.

uring a brief assembly session at the school, Mayor Stroebel explained, “Nine years ago, GRDM launched a special air quality awareness campaign to improve community well-being and environmental health. The initial focus was on guiding Oudtshoorn communities on ‘Clean Fires,’ but the initiative expanded to George, and over the past six years, GRDM has provided curriculum-aligned ‘Clean Air’ information packs to Grade 3 classes throughout the district,” he said.

In 2024, the Clean Air Project engaged 78 schools, involving 186 Grade 3 Teachers and 5,639 learners in areas from as far as Klipdrift and Nolls Halte, through George, Sedgefield, Knysna, Touwsranten and Karatara to Plettenberg Bay and surrounding areas. This marks a significant increase in scope, compared to the previous years and reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to broadening the impact of environmental education.

Mayor Stroebel further explained that by targeting Grade 3 learners makes sense because the theme of ‘Clean Air’ already forms part of the grade curriculum for Environmental Studies. Also, the best way to ensure a better, safer, and healthier environment in the not-too-distant future, is to create positive awareness in young minds now. The project offers extensive support for teachers through online information sessions and a self-study training course, which concludes with the awarding of 5 *CPTD points and a certificate of completion. *CPTD – Continuing Professional Teacher Development.

“As a special incentive to encourage a constructive approach to environmental education and effective use of the provided information and resources, the 2024 project included a competition with a grand prize of R10,000. Today, we are here to present this award to Oakhill Primary School. Your school demonstrated the highest level of engagement and innovative use of the resources. The criteria for winning included attendance at the online sessions, completion of the self-study course, and proof of creative implementation in classrooms, and your school, led by Mr. James Cross, stood out above the rest. We hope the funds will benefit the school. Congratulations on winning the prize money, and good luck with the exams. Enjoy your festive season!”Cllr Stroebel concluded.

Lastly, Mayor Stroebel extended a word of gratitute to Mr Dreyer Lötter MD: SATeacher e-Learning (Pty) Ltd for the excellent working relationship and innovation over the past years to make this project a success. He also thanked him for donating the R10 000 prize money.

Featured Image Caption: On the picture from left to right: Mr Dreyer Lotter from SA Teacher e-learning, Dr Johann Schoeman – GRDM Manager District Air Quality Control, Andrew Stroebel – GRDM Executive Mayor, Mr James Cross – Head of the Prep School, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard – Portfolio Chairperson of Community Services, Ms Caroline Cross – Grade 3 Teacher and Mr Howarth – Principal of the school.

-End-

17 October 2024 Media Release: EHPs of the Garden Route District Municipality celebrate Global Handwashing Day

Media Release: EHPs of the Garden Route District Municipality celebrate Global Handwashing Day

17 October 2024

In a quest to raise awareness about the critical importance of hand hygiene, Global Handwashing Day was celebrated across the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) the past few days, joining the rest of the world in promoting handwashing as a simple but powerful tool in preventing diseases.

The annual Global Handwashing Day, which takes place on October 15, promotes the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent the spread of diseases. To curb the spread of illnesses like diarrhea, respiratory infections, and other communicable diseases, the day focused on educating communities about washing hands, especially before meals and after using the bathroom.

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) play a fundamental role in preventing disease transmission. Throughout the year, they conduct health education outreach programs, equipping communities with knowledge on how to prevent communicable diseases.

Shaping ‘Little Minds’ for a Greater Impact

This year, EHPs carried out a series of interactive activities across the region, focusing on educating young children. Their aim was to influence “little minds” at schools with the hope that these children would, in turn, pass the message to “big minds” at home, creating a ripple effect of improved hygiene practices. These efforts are part of the district’s broader campaign to promote public health and prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

George Office

The GRDM George Region EHPs celebrated Global Handwashing Day with the Grade R – 2 learners of Geelhoutboom VGK Primary School, just outside George. The learners were very excited to participate in this life-changing lesson taught by educators from GRDM.

 Mossel Bay Office:

EHPs from the Mossel Bay office provided education on proper handwashing at Tao Tao Kleuterskool and St. Blaize Kleuterskool in Mossel Bay. A total of 79 children, along with their teachers, attended these sessions.

Bitou Office:

The EHPs from the GRDM Bitou sub-office, Zoleka Goniwe and Nokuphiwa Mbali, visited Khwezi Lokusa Educare in KwaNokuthula, Plettenberg Bay, to refresh learners and educators on the importance of handwashing.

The children enjoyed the hands-on activity demonstrated by the officials, showing the correct way to wash hands. The principal of the facility expressed gratitude to the GRDM team for reaching out to the crèche and supporting the fight against diseases that can be prevented by proper and frequent handwashing.

Oudtshoorn Office:

EHPs from the Oudtshoorn office held awareness and education sessions at schools and crèches in the Kannaland and Oudtshoorn areas, emphasizing that handwashing is the easiest, simplest, and most effective way to prevent bacterial illnesses. Health and hygiene awareness sessions were conducted by Environmental Health Practitioners in the Klein Karoo region at Roodewal Primary School near Oudtshoorn and The Heuwel Speelskool Crèche in Bergsig, Calitzdorp. A total of 60 learners participated in these handwashing awareness sessions.

Outeniqua Office

On Monday, 14 October 2024, representatives including Councillors and officials from the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Municipal Health and Disaster Management Units, visited two crèches in George as part of the municipality’s national celebration of Global Handwashing Day, observed today 15 October 2024, to promote hygiene awareness.

Read the separate statement about this visit here.

Did you know?

Critical point for washing of hands are:

  • Before, during, and after preparing food
  • Before and after eating food
  • After using the toilet
  • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • After touching waste
  • Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea

Did you know?

Hand washing benefits both young and old and is the first line of defence in preventing the spread of disease and must be embraced vigorously by families, schools and health care professionals.

-END-

5 September 2024 Media Release: Food Control: Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM)

Media Release: Food Control: Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM)

5 September 2024

Food control is a vital responsibility carried out by national and local authorities, such as the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), to ensure that food is safe, wholesome, and suitable for human consumption. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines food control as a “mandatory regulatory activity of enforcement” designed to protect consumers by overseeing every stage of food production, handling, storage, processing, and distribution.

To achieve these objectives, legislation plays a key role in regulating the food industry. Significant laws include the Foodstuffs, Cosmetic and Disinfectant Act (54 of 1972), the Labelling and Advertisement of Foodstuffs Regulations (GNR 146 of 2010), and the Tobacco Products Control Act (83 of 1993). These regulations are in place to ensure that public health and safety are upheld.

In the GRDM, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) are responsible for various duties that ensure food safety. Their tasks include:

  1. Inspections: EHPs conduct regular, often unannounced inspections of food premises, including formal establishments, informal vendors, factories, and dairy farms. These inspections assess structural compliance of buildings, the condition of vehicles transporting food, the availability of water and hand-washing facilities, proper refuse disposal, pest control, and whether food handlers wear protective clothing.
  2. Food Sampling: EHPs perform food sampling to ensure that storage and hygiene practices meet required standards, helping to detect potential contamination and confirm that food products are safe for consumption.
  3. Investigation of Food-borne Illnesses: In cases of reported food-borne illnesses, EHPs investigate to identify the source of contamination and take necessary actions to prevent further spread.
  4. Health Education: EHPs educate food handlers, industries, and consumers about food safety, promoting practices based on the WHO’s “Five Keys to Safer Food” to prevent contamination by harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical substances.

The role of EHPs is essential in preventing foodborne diseases and ensuring the safety of food consumed by the public. Their work helps minimize risks associated with unsafe food handling, such as food poisoning, and ensures that food products meet the stringent safety standards required by law.

For more information, or for reporting, contact the following GRDM Municipal Health offices within the Garden Route:

Region Person in Charge Contact Number Address
Klein Karoo Region & Kannaland Region Desmond Paulse
Manager: Municipal Health		 083 678 6530 94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn
Mossel Bay Monique Anthony
Acting Chief:  Municipal Health		 061 445 1932 C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay
George Outeniqua Emmy Douglas
Chief: Municipal Health		 078 457 282 Mission Street, Industrial Area, George
George
Wilderness		 Khanyisa Joja
Acting Chief: Municipal Health		 071 883 6335 Mission Street, Industrial Area, George
Knysna Region James McCarthy
Chief: Municipal Health		 082 805 9417 26A Queen Street, Knysna
Bitou Region Gawie Vos
Chief: Municipal Health		 083 557 1522 4 Virginia Street, Plettenberg bay
Hessequa Region Haemish Herwels
Chief: Municipal Health		 083 678 6545 24 Michell Street, Riversdale

Johan Compion
Senior Manager: Municipal Health & Solid Waste and Air Quality
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za
Cell: 082 803 5161

EHPs play a crucial role in maintaining high standards of food safety, protecting public health, and fostering consumer confidence in the GRDM.

-END-

22 August 2024 Media Release: Early warning and planning important in coping with severe weather

Media Release: Early warning and planning important in coping with severe weather

For immediate release
22 August 2024

“The advent of public information platforms developed over the past two decades timeously informing populations of all incoming weather events has been a game-changer in dealing with direct climate change impacts such as record rainfall figures received in 2024,” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

As climate change- related events such as storm surges, severe weather, damaging wind, flood and wild fire alerts affect the Southern Cape with increased regularity, the question begs if communities still pay sufficient attention to adverse weather advisories.

Running the risk of information saturation communities are urged to always take note of weather advisories and act in accordance as they are issued for good reason and can save lives and assets as environmental threats are on the increase.

Damaging weather- related impacts have become common- place as flooding events regularly wash away hard infrastructure, mountain passes are regularly closed and roads becoming inaccessible for extended periods.

Perhaps one of the most devastating results of changes in rainfall patterns and flooding in recent times were experienced by KZN and areas in the Western Cape where national and regional access roads and bridges were damaged and washed away leaving communities living in flood plains and along river banks severely affected.

Compounding matters further, the impact of a slow- growing economy is felt as municipalities across the board are suffering from diminishing budgets and restraints inhibiting them from rebuilding damaged infrastructure and impacting negatively on planned development.

Ironically countries just north of RSA including Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe are suffering from severe drought effecting food security. Given the sustained rain received during the past few years the prospect of drought in the Garden Route may seem unlikely right now but it may well return towards the end of 2025 and is something to constantly be aware of in terms of planning for the needs of increased population and development.

In dealing with natural disasters, the well- being of natural infrastructure such as priority water catchments, feeder streams, riparian zones and wetlands are vital. Much of these invaluable natural systems fall within the borders of private land and are badly affected by invasive alien plant densities having a destructive effect on not only the functionality of these systems but also loss of critical biodiversity.

GREF is the premier public platform for regional environmental and conservation managers in the Southern Cape.

Issued by: Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF)

Picture (Cobus Meiring): Sand and debris along the Botrivier N2 Highway crossing cleared to prevent a recurrence of the road being washed away as it did earlier in 2024.

 

ENDS

11 July 2024 Media Release: Vehicle Emission Testing done in Hessequa

Media Release: Vehicle Emission Testing done in Hessequa

11 July 2024

Vehicle emission testing was recently conducted by Garden Route District (GRDM) and Hessequa Municipalities. The main objective of this ‘drive’ was to raise public awareness about vehicle emissions and to minimize their impact on ambient air quality in the region. The Garden Route district comprises of seven municipal areas, including Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Bitou, Oudtshoorn and Kannaland.

Dr Johann Schoeman, Manager: District Air Quality Control, said: “Vehicle emissions testing is listed as a function of local authorities in terms of the National Framework for Air Quality Management in South Africa and is also regulated under Section 15 of the Hessequa Municipality: Air Pollution Control By-Law”.

“We stopped vehicles and each one had to undergo a visual inspection, and further testing was conducted with a ‘Smoke Check 1667 Opacity Meter’ on vehicles that emitted excessive dark smoke,” he said.

According to Schoeman, vehicles that were tested and failed were issued a repair notice, directing each owner to take their vehicle to a specified location for re-testing.

The vehicle emission testing campaign was conducted at the Sunrise picnic spot on the western entrance to Riversdale on the N2. A total of twenty-five (25) vehicles were stopped for inspection and testing.

Schoeman said drivers cooperated and all the vehicles passed the inspection. This indicates proper maintenance, especially of the large mainline trucks.

The GRDM’s Air Quality Management Section would like to thank Shagon Carelse and his team for their assistance and excellent cooperation in making the campaign a success.

Feature Image and Other Pictures Caption: Officials conducting visual and smoke check inspections during the recent vehicle emission testing in Hessequa.

-END-

27 June 2024 ALERT: Public Health Response to the Confirmation of Rabies in Cape Fur Seals

ALERT: Public Health Response to the Confirmation of Rabies in Cape Fur Seals

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), together with Western Cape Veterinary Services, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), City of Cape Town Coastal Management, and other partners are working closely to establish the extent and timeline of the outbreak through further sampling and testing.

Circular H80/2024, which is aligned to Circular H19/2022: Rabies: Updated Draft National Human Rabies Prophylaxis Guideline and the Prevention of Human Rabies Cases:

This serves as an alert to inform healthcare providers and workers of the necessary public health response following a confirmed rabies case in a wild Cape Fur Seal from Big Bay, Blouberg, Cape Town.

The sample was taken from the seal in question on 22 May 2024 and was confirmed to be infected with rabies by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture on 7 June 2024.

Rabies has never been detected in seals in Southern Africa before, and this is one of the very few detections in seals worldwide.

Information on various seal bite incidents has been received by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness from the City of Cape Town Coastal Management, Oudekraal, Kommetjie, Muizenberg, Blouberg in Cape Town, and Plettenberg Bay.

Rabies in unvaccinated animals can lead to the spread of the disease and can be fatal to humans. Therefore, with the confirmed rabies case in Cape Town, the public needs to be advised of the following:

All human and animal contact should be avoided as far as possible.

  1. Anyone bitten by a seal from December 2023 should seek medical attention and after risk assessment, be given PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) if necessary.
  2. Anyone with an animal bitten by a seal from December 2023 should consult a local state vet.
  3. Owners to ensure that their animal’s Rabies vaccination is up to date.

Public Health Response and Measures Following the Confirmed Rabies Case in Cape Fur Seals:

  1. Ensure all persons who have sustained seal bites since December 2023 access medical advice for a risk assessment to determine the need for PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis).
  2. All new seal bites should be managed and treated as animal bites.
  3. PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) should be recommended for persons at high risk or those directly and continually exposed to animals, such as veterinarians.
  4. Healthcare facilities and medical professionals should record any seal bite cases that have occurred within the last six months using the Western Cape Animal Bite Incident Form.
  5. Ensure the availability of an adequate supply of rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine.
  6. Implement risk communication strategies.

BACKGROUND ON RABIES

Rabies is a zoonotic, fatal, vaccine-preventable viral disease which is spread through the bite of an infected animal. It is endemic in South Africa with an average of 10 laboratory confirmed cases of human rabies confirmed annually.

Signs of Rabies in animals

  • Abnormal behaviour.
  • Domestic animals show aggression, disorientation and paralysis. They may foam at the mouth and bite people without provocation.
  • It is important to note that animals are infectious before they develop any signs of unusual behaviour.

Signs and symptoms of Rabies in humans

  • Discomfort and pain at the site of the wound.
  • Fever, headache, nausea and vomiting and this progresses to signs of neurological dysfunction and death.

Transmission from animals to humans

  • The rabies virus is present in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted by a bite or scratch, a lick on broken skin and a lick on mucous membrane (eyes or mouth).

Human to human transmission

  • It has been infrequently reported and has been limited to a few cases involving organ and graft transplantation from donors who have died of undiagnosed rabies.
  • Although rabid patients may inflict bites and scratches on health care workers, no secondary cases of human rabies have been confirmed or reported following such exposures.

 Preventative measures

  • Vaccinate animals. By law, all dogs and cats in South Africa must be vaccinated against Rabies and re-vaccinated every 1-3 years.
  • Rabies infection in humans can be prevented by prompt administration of rabies PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) following exposure to rabid or suspected Rabies-infected animals.
  • All animal bites should be assessed for potential rabies virus exposure.
  • All wounds must be immediately washed for 5 – 10 minutes with water.

For any additional information regarding this article please or to report any incidents please contact:

Mr Johan Compion
Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za
Tel: 044 803 1300 / Cell: 082 803 5161

20 June 2024 Media Release:  GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners and Stakeholders Perform Collaborative Spaza Shop Blitz Operation in Oudtshoorn

Media Release:  GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners and Stakeholders Perform Collaborative Spaza Shop Blitz Operation in Oudtshoorn

20 June 2024

A coordinated Spaza Shop Blitz operation was carried out in the Bridgton area of Oudtshoorn on Thursday, 13 June 2024. This multi-stakeholder blitz operation involved the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs), the South African Police Service (SAPS), Oudtshoorn Municipality’s Law Enforcement, and Fire Services.

The operation aimed to inspect spaza shops for compliance with legislative requirements. The areas of inspection include:

  • Verification of a valid Certificate of Acceptability in accordance with Regulation 638, promulgated under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics, and Disinfectant Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972) and ensuring that it is displayed in a conspicuous place for the public to see.
  • Ensuring valid business licences in accordance with the Business Act No. 71 of 24 April 1991. (Local Law Enforcement)
  • Assessment of the general hygiene of the premises.
  • Checking the labelling of foodstuffs.

A total of five shops were inspected during the operation. Following the inspections, GRDM EHPs issued reports to each establishment, highlighting areas needing improvement to meet compliance standards. The joint operation was done to ensure compliance with all health requirements.

This collaborative effort underscores the commitment to ensuring public health and safety through adherence to health regulations. The public is encouraged to report any complaints related to these health requirements to the GRDM Municipal Health Services Office at 15 Regent Street, Oudtshoorn, or contact the Oudtshoorn office at 044-272-2241.

Activities during the Spaza Shop Blitz Operations

-END-