greyhound racing in South Africa
28 January 2009
The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will conduct the second round
of public consultations on the possible legalisation of greyhound racing in
South Africa. The consultations will be held in Gauteng, Free State, North
West, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in February and March
2009.
Greyhound racing was banned years ago in South Africa because gambling was
regarded as immoral at that time. Now that gambling has been legalised and is
regulated, there are debates on the legislation of greyhound racing.
The animal welfare and protection groups are not in support of the
legalisation of greyhound racing, while other role players have been calling
for the racing to be legalised and regulated.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals (NSPCA)
says the legalisation and introduction of dog racing into South Africa will
result in the suffering, unspeakable living conditions and often untimely and
brutal death of thousands of greyhounds.
Last year, the dti appointed the University of the Free State, Faculty of
Law, under the supervision of Prof Elizabeth Snyman-Van Deventer to conduct a
research study on the possible legislation of greyhound racing in the country.
Interested members of the public and various associations submitted their
inputs through emails and faxes.
âthe dti has deemed it necessary to broaden the consultation process and
hold public consultations in which members of the public and interested
groupings can submit their input on the legalisation of greyhound racing prior
to the finalisation of the research study,â said the Director of Regulated
Industries Mpho Mosing in the dti.
The public consultations will take place as follows:
* 6 February 2009, 9h00-12h30, Protea Edward Hotel, Durban
* 13 February 2009, 9h00-12h30, Protea Seapoint Hotel, Cape Town
* 20 February 2009, 9h00-12h30, Protea Marine Hotel, Port Elizabeth
* 26 February 2009, 9h00-12h30, Garden Court Hotel, Bloemfontein
* 27 February 2009, 9h00-12h30, Protea Manor Hotel, Hatfield, Pretoria
* 6 March 2009, 9h00-12h30, Garden Court East London, Esplanade, East
London
* 13 March 2009, 9h00-12h30, Willows Garden Hotel, Potchefstroom
For more information contact:
Sidwell Medupe
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 073 5226801
E-mail: MSmedupe@thedti.gov.za
Lillian Mofokeng
Tel: 012 394 1775
Cell: 082 888 8362
E-mail:LMofokeng@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Trade and Industry
28 January 2009
