Permits needed before Eid-ul-Adha celebrations

INDIVIDUALS and organisations will have to apply for permits from the eThekwini Municipality before slaughtering animals.

The announcement came after the eThekwini Health Unit received enquiries from the Muslim community ahead of Eid-ul-Adha which falls in early July. It is a day on which Muslims slaughter sheep and/or cattle for distribution to the poor.

Moulana Abdullah Khan, spokesperson for the Jamiat Ulama (Council of Muslim Theologians) in KwaZulu-Natal, said: “We are disappointed that there has been no consultation in this process. It is not practical for every household to obtain consent for slaughter.”

Nevertheless, since it was a by-law, he encouraged the community to adhere to the requirements.

Some in the Hindu community also slaughter animals for religious reasons.

Ashwin Trikamjee, the president of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, said the objective must be health and hygiene.

“It is also important to be sensitive toward religious and traditional beliefs.”

Velapho Mkhize, an African spiritualist and the president of the Umsamo Institute, said the organisation supported the municipality’s decision but believed that religious organisations should have been consulted before the rule was implemented.

“I understand that the municipality is trying to curb cruelty to animals and to ensure we have a clean environment. We have to take into consideration the impact the spilling of the blood from the slaughtered animal has on the environment as well as how parts of the animal are disposed of.”

Mkhize said it would also prevent the pollution at waterfalls and rivers.

“We have found that sangomas perform rituals at waterfalls and rivers, and often dispose of the blood and remains in the water. I am concerned the municipality is going to face a backlog of applications for permits. In the African community, there are many rituals. Coupled with other religious organisations, does the municipality have the capacity to handle an influx of permit applications?”

Msawakhe Mayisela, spokesperson for the municipality, said the explanation on municipal platforms about processes to follow when slaughtering for ritual and religious purposes, was prompted by numerous inquiries received by the eThekwini Health Unit ahead of the Eid-al-Adha celebrations.

“The municipality recognises and respects communities’ traditional, cultural and religious beliefs and does not prohibit activities aligned to such beliefs.

“However, the municipality is required to give effect to national legislation and regulations to ensure the humane slaughter of animals, to safeguard public health and the health of those who consume the meat, to prevent health-related issues and to ensure that such practices are done in the interests of harmony and respect for other people’s rights within communities.”

He said the Red Meat Regulations, 2004, Section 128(2)(a), which referred to religious purposes of the Muslim faith, and 129(1)(a), which referred to indigenous religious or cultural purposes, stated that a person must obtain written permission from the local authority of the area where such a slaughtering would take place.

“The applicable Public Health By-Law regulates issues relating to the keeping of animals, place of slaughter, permit for the keeping of animals, management of animal waste, fly breeding, and any other public health issues that may occur.”

Mayisela said neither the Red Meat Regulations nor the relevant by-laws were new.

“Officials of the municipality are aware that certain circumstances may lead to applicants not being able to meet the seven-day application period (for example, funerals). In such situations, officials will deal with those applications on their own merit."

He said the health unit would like to reiterate that it did not charge for any activities relating to the issuing of this permit.

Mayisela said if an individual or organisation wanted to conduct a ritual slaughter on their premises, they needed to contact their nearest environmental health services office for an application form.

“The form will also outline the conditions that the individual or organisation needs to comply with. The permission must be obtained prior to the animal being brought into the area. Each application is assessed on its own merit and special conditions may need to be imposed.”

He said the application must be made within seven working days before the event.

“All information requested on the form must be provided, as any incomplete forms cannot be considered. The environmental health practitioner will visit the premises at which the animal is to be slaughtered to advise on health requirements.”

He said the permit provided conditions relating to hygienic practices that needed to be followed when slaughtering animals.

Mayisela said this was not only to safeguard the health of those who eat the meat, but was in the interest of harmony in communities.

“This procedure applies to all areas that fall under the jurisdiction of eThekwini Municipality. Those who don’t follow the procedure will be in contravention of the Red Meat Regulations, 2004, (No 1072 of 2004), framed under the Meat Safety Act, 2000 (Act 40 of 2000) as well, as the Public Health and Nuisance By-Law constitutes this as an offence and legal action may be instituted against the offender.”

For further details, call 031 311 3555.