Tackling alcohol abuse better together.
I am pleased to announce the names of the board members of the newly formed Western Cape Liquor Authority.
The names of the board members and the seats they will occupy are as follows:
| Name | Status |
| Mervin Robert Burton | Chair, Business/Governance Seat |
| Mveleli Edwin Ncula | Deputy Chair, Business/Governance Seat |
| Siphiwo Innocent Mavumengwana | Business/Governance Seat |
| John Martin Klassen | Social Seat |
| Franscina Elizabeth du Bruyn | Business/Governance Seat |
| Brian Victor Beck | Business/Governance Seat |
| Adv. Jeffrey Block | Business/Governance Seat |
Based on the recommendations received from the Standing Committee, I duly appoint the board on a part-time basis, retrospective from 12 March 2012, for a period of three years.
The board will now begin the task of formulating the framework and corporate structure which will allow for the operationalisation of the Western Cape Liquor Authority. This includes governance and compliance frameworks such as HR policies, Supply Chain Management policies as well as appointing the Liquor Licensing Tribunal and the Appeal Tribunal.
The board will also oversee the important task of the implementation of the remaining sections of the Western Cape Liquor Act, which comes into effect on 2 April 2012.
The Liquor Act will assist in tackling one of the biggest problems currently facing our Province – alcohol abuse. Currently, over 50% of all injury related deaths in the Western Cape are linked to alcohol abuse and about 80% of murders are associated with alcohol abuse. Liquor has eroded the sense of community in our province, and as of the 2 April, we are taking our communities back.
The current liquor situation is untenable, and as government, we cannot stand idly by. The Western Cape has for too long been known as the ‘drinking capital’ of South Africa. This is a title we are not proud of. In the years to come, we are adamant that we will overturn this reputation. Because we can be better together, we will do this in partnership with liquor traders, liquor suppliers and liquor consumers, communities across the province and the board that we have introduced today.
The Western Cape government wishes the board well.
Media enquiries:
Phumzile van Damme
Spokesperson to Minister Winde
Cell: 084 483 2660
