Beekeeping and the law
Due to an attack by bees, Kengsington B residents seek advise about beekeeping by-laws.
After being attacked by bees, Kingsington B resident Corinne Bysshe wants to inform the community about the bylaws regarding beekeeping.
Bysshe said some other residents also fell victim to the irritated bees which resided in a nearby beehive.
“The neighbours who had the beehive no longer live there and the beehive was removed,” she said. “However, I still feel that it is necessary to know what the bylaws are for keeping a beehive in a residential area.”
Head of Bee Ware, Warrick Selzer said, “We are an online beekeeping business that supplies and trains beginner and commercial beekeepers with beehives, smokers, bee suits and other equipment they require.”
Selzer said the company’s mission was to get people to keep bees as a hobby or commercially. “It is, however important for beekeepers to register with the South African Bee Industry Organisation. Should a person wish to be a beekeeper in Johannesburg that individual must become familiar with the bylaws of the City of Johannesburg. These are bee rules made in order to keep people safe as well as give guidelines for all beekeeping sites. Those who do not comply with the beekeeping bylaws will suffer the regulatory penalties,” added Selzer.
General provisions of beekeeping as outlined by the City of Johannesburg bylaws:
No person may keep bees on any premises unless:
- That person is the holder of a permit authorising that activity; and every beehive is situated a minimum of 5m from any boundary of the premises; and a minimum of 20m from any public place or building used for human habitation or from any place used for the keeping of animals, poultry and birds.
- The bees are kept in an approved beehive in an area inaccessible to children and animals and it is in the shade at all times.
- The bees are supplied with a source of drinking water within 5m of the hive.
- No person may dump or deposit any garbage, compost, grass cuttings or manure within 5m of any beehive.
Details: City of Johannesburg 011 407 6111, Bee Ware 012 771 4288.
