Emergency management
These events range from major ones such as music festivals to domestic ones such as weddings in townships.
Municipal-owned entities and City departments – namely Event Management, Disaster Management, City Parks, City Power, Emergency Management Services, Environmental Health, Johannesburg Development Agency, Johannesburg Metro Police Department, Johannesburg Water, Johannesburg Roads Agency, Metrobus and Pikitup – and the South African Police Service are represented on the JOC.
For an event to be safe, the organiser has to follow certain procedures through the City’s JOC. A checklist containing all the details required is attached.
The JOC officially meets once a week, on a Thursday. These meetings start promptly at 7.30am in the Egoli Boardroom, B Block, Ground Floor, Metro Centre, Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
JOC compliance and Covid-19 Health Protocols under Lockdown Alert Level 1
Dear Stakeholder,
In the first quarter of 2020, the event management industry experienced a different kind of world-shaking event: the global coronavirus pandemic.
Noting the rapid spread globally of the coronavirus, the President of the Republic declared a National State of Disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act of 2002. The Cabinet has approved the extension of South Africa’s national state of disaster to 15 October 2020.
The government staged a nationwide lockdown alongside a set of regulations restricting all gatherings of more than 100 people. This had a huge and immediate impact on the events industry and many long-awaited events were cancelled to abide by the regulations and in the interest of saving lives.
The requirements of the National State of Disaster Regulations and Directives governing the National State of Disaster warranted the need for health and safety precautions to be taken into account when hosting events. This will also allow the events industry working with the City of Johannesburg’s Events Joint Operations Committee (JOC) to plot a way forward together in planning events in a safe and controlled manner.
With that said, any event regardless of its magnitude or length is prone to risks. Compliance pertinent to the planning of events is essential as enshrined in the “Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act No.2 of 2010” that governs the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) in conjunction with the City of Johannesburg by-laws.
Please note that the purpose of the Act is to provide measures to safeguard the physical well-being and safety of people and property at sports, recreational, religious, cultural, exhibitional, organisational or similar events held at stadiums, venues or along a route.
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Thus the City’s Events JOC is fundamentally responsible for mitigating risks associated with any planned events while simultaneously executing an advisory role in relation to best practices to adhere to in staging events hosted in the City of Johannesburg.
Please note, compliance is not optional. Should any event not comply, the City’s Events JOC would in the interest of public safety be left with no alternative but to close the non-compliant event and the South African Police Services (SAPS), could then open a docket for non-compliance to Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act No.2 of 2010.
In light of the above, it is crucial for all event managers/organisers involved in the planning of events within the City of Johannesburg to comply with requirements and procedures as set out by JOC. This is for the purpose of endorsement by relevant authorities, including recent published series of National directives that update the country’s lockdown rules in a number of areas, including the opening of borders, sports and religious gatherings.
These directives outline which restrictions stay in place and which are lifted under the new risk level. People who fail to follow the regulations could be arrested and charged with contravention of the country’s lockdown rules under the Disaster Management Act.
Under alert level 1, social, religious, political and other gatherings will be permitted, as long as the number of people does not exceed 50% of the normal capacity of a venue, up to a maximum of 250 people for indoor gatherings and 500 people for outdoor gatherings.As per the Government gazette, Vol 633, No. 43725 on 18 September 2020.
The battle against the disease is by no means over
Gatherings under alert level 1
Facility owners should clearly display the venue’s capacity.
Churches and other faith-based institutions are allowed no more than 250 people in an indoor venue, or 500 people in an outdoor venue provided this does not exceed the venue’s 50 percent threshold capacity while allowing for physical distancing and the wearing of masks.
Conferences, meetings, political and social events along with recreational gatherings are allowed under alert level 1. No more than 250 people can attend these gatherings at indoor venues. No more than 500 people at an outdoor venue — provided the venue’s 50 percent threshold is not exceeded.
The following places are allowed only 50 percent of the venue’s capacity: casinos, gyms, fitness facilities, bars, taverns, hotels and timeshare facilities.
Among other restrictions, nightclubs remain closed; spectators cannot attend any sporting events.
Every person, when attending a gathering, and in order to limit exposure to Covid-19, must:
Wear a face mask;
Adhere to all health protocols;
Maintain a distance of least one and a half meters from each other; and
Adhere to any other health protocols and social distancing measures as provided for.
In addition, an owner or operator of any indoor or outdoor facility where gatherings are held must display the certificate of occupancy, which sets out the maximum number of persons the facility may hold.
All events staged within the City of Johannesburg, whether big or small, are still subjected to JOC compliance and Covid-19 safety protocols. Any planned event may only be staged once presented and supported by the City’s Events JOC.
All event managers/organisers involved in the planning of events are therefore required to notify the Events Management office of their proposed event (2) two weeks before the event. Book a presentation slot by completing the following form: Click here
Thank you all in advance for complying. For more information, please contact the Event management JOC team on jocevents@joburg.org.za.
Issued on behalf of:
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Bongi Mokaba Director: Events Management Chair of the Events Management JOC Group Communications and Marketing City of Johannesburg Should you require any information in this regard please see the contact information below; |
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Itumeleng Mankge Deputy Director Events Compliance 011 407 7051 |
Shaun Harrison Divisional Chief EMS Events 011 407-6018 |
Roles of different stakeholders at the JOC
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Event Management Unit Provides the event organiser with a standard JOC checklist for compliance for a successful event; Assists with bookings for JOC presentations; and
Assists with all queries related to events in the city.
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Disaster Management Needs a floor plan of the venue with evacuation routes;
Issues a final approval for any temporary structure and confirmation of public liability insurance;
On the day of the event, an incident report will be kept by the Venue Operations Centre (VOC); and
Manages a file of the event and monitors progress.
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City Parks Assists with a list of park facilities and associated costs;
Provides park wardens by application, if required;
City Parks may provide a waste service – at a cost;
All additional requirements – sanitation, water, temporary structure plans, etc – are the responsibility of the event organiser; and
Parks should be left clean, tidy and undamaged; if not, City Parks will do the cleaning up and send the costs to the event organiser involved.
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City Power Checks if there are electricity supply points at the venue;
Must be notified if a generator is to be used;
If additional power is required, the necessary application form has to be filled in and the event organiser will get written confirmation of what will be done – apply for this 30 days before the event;
Where no additional/temporary power is required, an inspector is sent to check for power/electrical compliance;
City Power may refer the event organiser to Eskom, depending on the venue; and
The event organiser has to pay for all costs upfront.
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Emergency Management Services (EMS) The event organiser has to supply EMS with the following:
Any temporary or permanent structure to be erected, including site plans; A request for medical services, or an operational plan for medical assistance if a private company will be used;
Requirements for collapsible fencing, flammable substances, compliance certificate for electrical work, plans for vehicles display in buildings, request for the allowance of open flames and pyrotechnics;
Local hospitals are to be notified;
A final certificate of compliance is issued prior to the event;
Identify ambulance evacuation routes and helipads;
Ensure all the necessary services are organised, such as fire engines, ambulances and response vehicles;
An EMS form must be completed and submitted to the EMS office; and
EMS payment must be done before the event.
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Environmental Health Services The event organiser must:
Inform Environmental Health about the upcoming event; Produce a certificate of acceptability from caterers if food is to be served;
Apply for exception to noise compliance if it is an open-air event;
Have a waste management plan;
State if all service providers are to have specific accreditation to enter the venue;
Consult with Environmental Health on all of the following requirements: waste, water, sanitation and food; and
Ensure that venues and accommodation establishments such as hotels have been approved.
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Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) The JDA assists with the provision of venues.
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Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) The event organiser must get an acknowledgement of application letter from the JMPD;
A Notice under the Regulations of Gatherings Act must be completed;
The metro police will identify general security needs and the Johannesburg police will specify security needs;
JMPD provides traffic control on public roads;
An indemnity form is to be completed and signed by the event organiser;
JMPD has to have an application for an event 30 days before the date of the event; and
JMPD assists with dry runs prior to big events, such as road races.
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Johannesburg Water Event organisers must make sure that there is adequate water for the event; and
If a dedicated or additional water supply is required, Johannesburg Water has a number of options available that will be supplied on request.
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Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) The JRA and JMPD work closely together once initial qualified approval has been given; and
If road closures are required, a way leave application must be made, at a nominal fee.
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Johannesburg Metropolitan Bus Services Buses can be hired form Metrobus;
Metrobus must be paid in advance;
The event organiser must complete an indemnity form;
Metrobus buses have passenger liability for their vehicles; and
They are driven by Metrobus drivers with professional drivers permits (PDPs).
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Pikitup Pikitup is only responsible for public areas, i.e. streets;
If more waste removal services are needed, these can be discussed with Pikitup’s waste management consulting service; but
Should the event be held on private property and Pikitup does the waste removal, a fee is charged.
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South African Police Service (SAPS) The SAPS heads up the VOC on the day of the event;
The SAPS must give the event organiser a confirmation letter stating that it is aware of the event; and
If private security companies are used, the SAPS must be given a security plan. |
Joint Operations Committee (JOC) requirements
- Overview of the event
- Floor plans, Site plans, gas plan/ Road Maps
- Emergency contact numbers (organizers)
- JOC requests (30 days notification)
- Certificates of Approval for temporary structures and COC’
- A Day Programme of the event and a list of VIP’s attending the event.
- Security plan, Parking plan & Medical plan
- Disaster management and evacuation plan
- Fire Safety (Application form)
- Environmental Health (COA for caterer and noise control applications)
- Traffic management plans, and indemnity form (JMPD)
- Venue permission letters
- Waste Management Plan
- JRA Wayleave
- Passenger liability for busses
- Minutes of planning meetings before the event
- Public Liability (Insurance for the Event)
- SAPS and ward councilor confirmation letters
- Hardcopies (files) of your operational plans
- NPO Number and Proof from SARS (certificate)
- Proof Of Payment to relevant departments
| Event Management |
011 407 7525 |
| PIKITUP |
011 712 5316 |
| EMS – Events |
011 407 6018 |
| City Power |
011 490 7780 |
| City Parks |
011 712 6664 |
| JMPD Events |
011 490 1590 |
| JHB Water |
011 688 1601 |
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| JRA |
011 298 5295 |
| Environmental Health |
011 587 4285 |
| Metrobus |
011 403 4300 |
| JDA Newtown |
011 833 6323 |
| SAPS |
011 373 3406 |
| Environmental Management |
011 587 4285 |
| Pikitup |
011 712 5247 |
| Disaster Management |
011 373 7517 |
| City Power |
011 490 7048 |
| GPG EMS |
011 264 5000 |
| EMS Events |
011 407 6374 |