The Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) has introduced a 24-hour WhatsApp line (076 403 6223) to report irresponsible trading.
This includes selling to underage people, trading beyond regulated trading hours, selling to visibly intoxicated people, selling to pregnant women, playing loud music, lack of proper security on the premises and blocking of driveways by the patrons.
The Board said, “ECLB views reckless trading in a serious light, and intends empowering communities with more platforms to report liquor outlets that are disruptive and flout their trading conditions.”
There was also growing concern about the mushrooming of illegal outlets in the Province.
“This contributes to the proliferation of criminal activities and other related social ills,” the Board said.
The Eastern Cape Liquor Act requires that when one applies for a liquor license one must serve a notice in the form of Form 2 on the ward councillor of the area where the premises are situated who must upon receipt of the form convene a community consultation meeting to discuss the application.
Members of the community have the right to object to the application for a liquor outlet in their area if they deem it undesirable based on their reasons. The same form must also be served to every governing body of every educational institution and place of worship within radius of 100 metres from the premises in respect of which the application for registration is made.
