The Department of Trade and Industry is pleased that members of the public have taken the opportunity to make their views heard on the draft liquor control policy. The draft policy intended to engage with the public and interested stakeholders to solicit input and point out areas that may require review before the final policy is issued. The deadline for the comments was 17 February 2010.
Measures contained in the final policy will be translated into regulations which will be issued by the Minister of Sport and Recreation in terms of the Second Special Measures Act.
Following the closing date, the department is now in the process of reviewing the comments in order to assess the need for any revisions of certain areas of the draft policy. The Department of Trade and Industry has noted the comments raised in the media in relation to the proposed licence fees for public viewing areas. A public viewing area in the draft policy refers to an area designated and managed by the municipality for the public to view the 2010 FIFA World Cup games.
It is important to note that commercial establishments such as pubs, clubs, bars, etc. holding valid liquor licences are not required to obtain an additional special liquor licence, however if any commercial establishment decide to charge an admission fee specifically for the show of the games they will require permission from FIFA.
“The policy will not affect any rights already granted in terms of liquor licenses issued by provincial liquor authorities. We welcome all the comments received thus far and will consider them in finalising the policy. The policy is not intended to stifle business but is intended to maintain security and control the trading of liquor during the world cup,” says Zodwa Ntuli, the Deputy Director-General of the Consumer and Corporate Regulation Division (CCRD) at the Department of Trade and Industry.
For more information, contact:
Sidwell Medupe
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 073 522 6801
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Trade and Industry
18 February 2010
