Being in the tourist industry in the Garden Route I took special note of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) media release dated 16 December 2022.
The release, although incorrectly referenced, notes that the law states “An animal, subject to the provisions of any law, is not kept or permitted in a room or area where food is handled”.
The release incorrectly determines that “This means that no animals (including domestic pets) are allowed at food premises or in any area where food is being served to the public.”
No where in the referenced law does it refer to served or consumed. My interpretation is that food must not be kept FOR SERVING in an area where pets are permitted but can be served and consumed in an area were pets are permitted.
Enforcing this badly interpreted, poorly written and ambiguous regulation will result in the closure of restaurants, loss of jobs and declining revenues for the GRDM, a reduction of tourists visiting the GRDM and the further loss of jobs and so the decline gains momentum.
I am reminded of an article by Deon Rossouw: “The dark side of South Africans always being so accepting” when I say that we must not accept this. Accepting this interpretation will not serve anyone in the short term and harm everyone, especially those needing jobs, in the long term.
