23 Mar 2020

Minister of Environment, National Resources Conservation and Tourism says government regulations do not specifically address issues relating to designs and construction of approved technical specifications of facilities including swimming pools.

Minister Phildah Kereng said 11 people drowned in hotels and lodges’ swimming pools over the last three years, out of which six were children.

She said the Department of Tourism would review tourist accommodation licensing requirements to determine if they were sufficient on swimming pool operations from a health and safety perspective.

The minister said the department would also come up with additional requirements that could enhance the health and safety of patrons.

Ms Kereng said her ministry did not have the authority to require mandatory and compulsory trained and qualified lifeguards, but noted that industry standards stated that public swimming pools should be used under supervision.

Kanye North MP, Mr Thapelo Letsholo had wanted to know if there were any laws that guided the use of swimming pools in hotels and lodges.

He also wanted the minister to state the number of people that drowned in tourism facilities over the last three years.

He further asked if there were any measures in place to reduce the number of lives lost in swimming pools.

MP Letsholo also wanted the minister to say if they would make it mandatory for public facilities, hotels and lodges to have permanent, trained and qualified lifeguards at their swimming pools. ENDs