Police have been cracking down on liquor trading hours and municipal by-laws. Pubs, taverns, night clubs and retail stores have been reminded to comply with the by-laws stipulated by Makana Municipality.
Police have been cracking down on liquor trading hours and municipal by-laws. Pubs, taverns, night clubs and retail stores have been reminded to comply with the by-laws stipulated by Makana Municipality.
Captain Gerrit Swarts of the Grahamstown Police Station served the registrants of liquor trading outlets with a warning letter last week reminding them to abide by the Eastern Cape Liquor Act and by-laws.
The act was passed in 2003 but police are still reminding liquor outlets to comply with the legislation.
Swarts said that his office was concerned that liquor outlets are not complying with the trading hours as stipulated in the municipal by-laws and are not closing at the required time.
“Certain outlets close their doors while continuing to serve patrons with liquor,” he said. While referring to Section One of the Liquor Act, he said “The mere display of liquor even after closing time constitutes the selling of such liquor.”
This has become a concern for local pubs and a number of the pubs that Grocott’s Mail spoke to were unaware of this interpretation of “display” in the Act and are now covering up their liquor supplies after trading hours and seeking legal advice on the matter.
This legislation means that alcohol should not even be visible after trading hours. House of Pirates co-owner, Chris Marshall said, “It is strange that although this Act was put in place in 2003, the police are only bringing it to our attention now.
Covering the display of alcohol can be quite tricky at the end of trading hours.” Swarts also emphasised that liquor outlets may not stay open after closing time.
He stated that the laws are not to “infringe on the right to private enterprise” but that outlets must adhere to Makana bylaws so that trading hours are regulated.
Retail stores have also been informed of the legislation. Store manager of Pick n Pay, Johan Pienaar said, “Both Pick n Pay and Spar incurred fines on Sunday for trading alcohol after the times stipulated by the by-laws.”
Pick n Pay is now only trading liquor at the times which comply with bottle stores and wholesalers under section 20(a) in the Act for Retail Sale of Liquor by a Retail Shop.
“Customers are unhappy but a by-law is a by-law and we have to comply with it even if it dissatisfies customers,” Pienaar said.
