Pretoria - Liquor and fridges worth R200 000 were confiscated at the weekend in a joint operation between the National Liquor Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry (dti).
The joint operation between the dti, National Liquor Authority (NLA), Northern Cape Liquor Board and South African Police Service (SAPS) took place at the central business districts of Kimberly, Galeshewe, Warrenton and Greenpoint.
Chief Director of the National Liquor Authority at the dti, Prea Ramdhuny, said the operation was intended to create awareness on substance and liquor abuse. The operation also sought to conduct liquor enforcement operations in line with the national and provincial liquor legislation and to monitor non-adherence to licence conditions and trading hours.
The crackdown on liquor outlets that were found to be illegal and non-compliant, as per their licensing conditions, saw liquor as well as fridges to the value of R200 000 being confiscated and fines being issued.
“Fines were issued, some outlets closed and 40 dangerous weapons discovered when people were searched during the raids in Galeshewe. Six outlets were forced to close because they were trading beyond the hours of trade and two illegal shebeens were permanently shut down,” said Manager of Compliance, Enforcement and Education Awareness at the Northern Cape Liquor Board, Mpho Bhunu.
The Northern Cape has seen a lot of alcohol abuse and illegal trading. Crackdown operations such as these, Bhunu said, are helpful in fighting underage drinking, public drinking and violation of licence conditions by those who have liquor licences.
Outlets that were not compliant were issued with non-compliance notices and were given 14 days to comply with the notices. Failure to do so will result in the licences being withdrawn by the NLA.
The operation inspected seven distribution outlets, all of which complied with the Liquor Act 59 of 2003.
Ramdhuny said she was pleased with the results of the operation, but said it was important to sustain the operation.
“We are increasing efforts to eradicate illegal outlets that are destroying our communities with alcohol. The department is working closely with the police and Liquor Board within the province to address the challenge of alcohol abuse and illegal liquor trading,” said Ramdhuny.
The State spends about R3.7 billion per annum on problems related to alcohol abuse.
Liquor amendment bill
Earlier this month, the dti announced that it has extended the deadline for public comments and submissions on the National Liquor Amendment Bill.
The bill seeks to address the socio-economic impact of liquor, the slow pace of transformation, standardisation of key aspects of regulation and improved regulatory collaboration.
The bill also addresses the eradication of manufacturing and trading of illegal and illicit alcohol, as well as challenges regarding regulatory capacity within the National Liquor Authority.
The closing date for comments is 30 November 2016. – SAnews.gov.za
