The MEC for Economic Development, Qedani Mahlangu and Community Safety MEC, Nonhlanhla Mazibuko today joined forces with their other counterparts at Tarlton Community Hall in the West Rand to launch the Gauteng 2010 Liquor Festive Season Campaign linked to the 16 Days of Activism and the Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaigns.
This is an annual Liquor Awareness Campaign to raise awareness on the effects of reckless liquor consumption, illegal liquor trade and the regulation of the liquor retail industry which is an initiative of the Gauteng Provincial Government spearheaded by Members of the Executive Council.
"Whilst the period of the festive season is meant to be a jolly season where families and friends get together in a sharing spirit, not all is well as many kids and women still suffer from various forms of abuse mostly at the hands of those who consume alcohol excessively. This substance related abuse must be dealt with harshly by government and the Gauteng Liquor Board has a responsibility to promote responsible drinking", says MEC Qedani Mahlangu.
The Gauteng Provincial Government has this year adopted an integrated approach including elements of the Gauteng's 2010 Liquor Festive Season Campaign linked to the 16 Days of Activism and the Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign to ensure a safe Gauteng over the festive season.
"Government is sending a very clear message that we will not tolerate any form of abuse towards defenseless people such as women and children during the 16 Days of Activism and beyond", adds MEC Mahlangu.
"As the Gauteng Provincial Government we are saying: Enough is enough. We have increased police visibility in all the streets of Gauteng to ensure that the people of Gauteng are safe. We encourage all communities to have cellphone numbers of sector police officers patrolling their area," said MEC Mazibuko.
According to People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) a total of 5 107 survivors of domestic violence have been assisted by their offices during the period of April 2007 - March 2008 alone, this number might have doubled in recent years.
A study has revealed that most domestic violence occurs when the perpetrators are under the influence of substances such as liquor. It is for this reason that the Liquor board will be taking strong action against irresponsible traders
MEC Mahlangu and the Gauteng Liquor Board encourage all liquor traders to trade responsibly and not to violate their licenses by selling liquor to under age children; trade beyond trading hours and selling to visibly intoxicated people. Traders who do not comply will be running the risk of having their stock confiscated and their licenses revoked.
The Gauteng Liquor Board has been running educational workshops with an objective of raising awareness about the negative effects of alcohol abuse and underage drinking.
The focal point of the workshops has been on the following factors:
- Youth and liquor use
- Underage drinking and the law
- Women and liquor use
- Liquor trading and compliance
- Liquor trading and impact on economic growth.
In collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, the Gauteng Department of Community Safety will work tirelessly to ensure the safety of Gauteng residents. "We will be on the lookout at all hot spots such as where smash and grabs and car hijacking incidents are high. There will be no room for road-rage as traffic officers will be all over the streets of Gauteng," said MEC Mazibuko.
For more information please contact:
Uyanda Mbuli
Tel: 011 355 8087
Cell: 083 557 4835
E-mail: Uyanda.Mbuli@gauteng.gov.za
