Local hospitality enterprises are under pressure from a new by-law which regulates the times at which liquor may be sold. The by-law was finalised by the council on the 10th June.
Failure to comply with this law may result in a R3000 fine, three years’ imprisonment, both or a trade-license confiscation.
Local hospitality enterprises are under pressure from a new by-law which regulates the times at which liquor may be sold. The by-law was finalised by the council on the 10th June.
Failure to comply with this law may result in a R3000 fine, three years’ imprisonment, both or a trade-license confiscation.
Senior Inspector of the Eastern Cape Liquor Board, Nceba Ntelwa says that the police will be informing the liquor board of any businesses that do not abide by the law.
Unemployment
According to the Makana Municipality website; this is to make the municipality’s jurisdiction safer, to reduce crime and minimise socio-economic problems associated with alcohol consumption.
For two years, businesses that are directly affected, have been fighting against the municipality to have the by-law scrapped.
Mike from Friar Tucks pub and grill has previously taken the municipality to court over the issue, won the case and the municipality was ordered to modify the law.
He feels that there is no real change in the new version and has been advised to take the matter to the constitutional court.
He explains the effects that this by-law and the smoking law alone will have on his business.
"I will have to let go of a third of my work force."
Binge boozing
Previous owner of The Taphuis Mike Dewey said that that the by-laws are effectively closing down all the controlled areas and encouraging students to go binge drink.
The Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship at Rhodes University, Jos Welman, understands why such laws have to be implemented.
He says that both from the point of view of Rhodes management and the community’s social side, the previous late hours had a negative effect on how students function the following day.
However from a business side, he said that free trading hours should be respected.
Head of the Sociology department Dr Monty Roodt feels that it is a good thing that a balance is trying to be reached.
As the by-law proposal currently stands, bottle stores, retailers and wholesalers may now operate from 09.00 – 21.00 Monday through to Saturday and 09.00 – 13.00 on Sundays and public holidays.
The times for restaurants, pubs, night clubs, taverns and shebeens has been reduced to 11.00 – 24.00 from Monday to Thursday and 10.00 – 02.00 on Fridays and Saturdays and 11.00 – 22.00 on Sundays and public holidays.
In the case of special events, only the council or South African Police may determine the retail and consumption of alcohol.
Presently, the by-law has been sent to parliament to be presented at the Government Gazette in October.
Want to know more?
Makana Municipality liquor trading hours by-law (PDF)
Extend weekend booze times, taverners
Booze by-law still brewing
