The City of Johannesburg's Environmental Health Directorate has warned the public to be on the lookout for people fake Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs).

It has come to our attention that there are people within the City of Johannesburg who are pretending to be EHPs and issuing fraudulent business licences, permits and certificates of acceptability to business owners, and charging them for these services. The issuing of a certificate of acceptability (COA) is free of charge.

For business licences and permits, there are stipulated tariffs in accordance with the Businesses Act. The only costs involved and payable are those that have been approved by Council in terms of its fees and tariffs structure. Health permits are issued in accordance with Public Health Bylaws.

No rewards must be made for services rendered as that will be considered a bribe. A criminal case should be opened at the SA Police Service against any client and official for acts of fraud and corruption. ​Environmental Health Practitioners and Business Licence Officers are involved in compliance monitoring of premises such as those requiring licensing in terms of the Businesses Act.

The following services are regarded as Municipal Health Services in terms of the National Health Act, 61 of 2003:

1. Food control
   
2. Waste management
3. Health surveillance of premises
4. Surveillance and prevention of communicable diseases
5. Vector (pest) control
6. Environmental pollution control (these services form an integral part of business licensing and have to be evaluated before a license is issued)
7. Disposal of the dead
8. Water quality monitoring
9. Chemical safety

Licence Application Process

1. The applicant has to lodge an application for the appropriate licence at the Regional Environmental Health office. Please use the contact details below for the applicable regional office numbers.
   
2. The Business Licence Officer, designated staff member or Business Licence Assistant has to advise the applicant on the following:

• Legislative provisions and processes that are to be followed
• The Council's policy
• The applicable application fees as determined by the Council annually, and where to pay his/her application fee. (Please note that no Environmental Health Practitioner is allowed to accept any payment)
• The proof of payment must be returned to Environmental Health Offices without delay

All the City of Johannesburg's Environmental Health Practitioners have official identification cards that they must produce when conducting any inspection.

The City of Johannesburg Health Department will continue to take measures within its available resources to improve the quality of life of our people and will endeavour to progressively improve the service delivery.

For more information on any Environmental Health-related issues, business licences, certificates of acceptability and permits, call (011) 407-6494 / 6545.

Ends

Issued by the City of Johannesburg

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29/07/2022