A RESIDENT in Alberton complained regarding the slaughter of an animal in his neighbourhood over the weekend of January 23. The RECORD asked the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) about the legality of the slaughter of animals in residential areas.
EMM spokesperson Themba Gadebe stated: “The municipality confirms that a complaint was received from a resident regarding the slaughter of an animal over the weekend. The Environmental Health Division is investigating this matter.”
The slaughtering of animals for religious and ceremonial purposes is permitted as per the provisions of the EMM’s Public Health by-laws, subject to compliance with certain conditions.
Mayoral spokesperson Zweli Dlamini stated in 2010, “Ekurhuleni is not opposed to the private slaughtering of animals for ritual purposes. To do that would be an infringement on the rights of people as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa under the Bill of Rights. However, the exercising of these rights must be done in a way that is respectful of other people’s rights as well.”
The Public Health by-laws state specific procedures in terms of the slaughter of live animals. Among other regulations, the by-laws prescribe that written notification must be submitted to Council of the intent to slaughter at least 14 days prior to the event. Such notification can be directed to the office of the manager of Environmental Health Services responsible for the area in which the intended slaughter is to take place.
There are also guidelines in terms of Section 4 of the regulations promulgated in terms of the Abattoir Hygiene Act, 1992 (Act n. 121 of 1992), which state that animals may not be kept prior to slaughtering for a period in excess of 12 hours.
The meat from the slaughtered carcass must also be handled in a hygienic manner, the meat from the slaughtered carcass shall not be offered for sale, but shall be supplied free of charge to persons attending the ritual custom.
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