Free State illegal liquor traders hit hard by inspection blitz and raids
A joint-operation comprising of the National Liquor Authority (NLA) of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Free State Liquor Board, the South African Police Service and the Department of Basic Education cracked down on liquor outlets that were found to be non-compliant as per their licensing conditions. This happened during a blitz inspection operation that took place in Bloemfontein at the weekend.
The operation inspected nine distribution outlets, five of which were issued with compliance notices for contravening Section 16(3) of the Liquor Act 59 of 2003. 28 liquor traders were inspected and seven were issued with non-compliance notices. Twenty five illegal shebeens were shut down and a total of 1 232 litres of liquor confiscated and 1454 litres of homemade concoction destroyed by officials. The outlets ranged from taverns, restaurants, distributors and manufacturers were raided in Bloemspruit, Kagisanong, Kopanong, Heidedaal, Botshabelo, Mothishe, Khayelitsha and Boithuso.
Two schools, namely Petunia High School in Heidedal and Mabolela Primary School in Kagisanong were targeted for a liquor abuse education and awareness session.
According to the Chief Director at the NLA, Ms Prea Ramdhuny, the inspection blitz was meant to address the increasing number of illegal traders, under-age drinking, non-adherence to the licence conditions, violation of trading hours and to enforce compliance among liquor traders.
“Our responsibility is to enforce legislation. Liquor outlets showing a blatant disregard of the Liquor Act and those trading in contravention of the Act will be prosecuted. Non-compliance relates to the selling of liquor without a licence, selling to minors, selling after official trading hours, selling to already intoxicated patrons and visibly pregnant women, and selling of liquor for consumption other than on the licensed premises,” said Ramdhuny.
She added that the Liquor industry has an impact on the country’s economy and influences our social lives and because of this, it becomes crucial that policy mechanisms are in place to ensure that there is responsible trade and consumption of alcohol to alleviate unintended consequences that could undermine the positive contributions the sector has on the economy.
“The proposed liquor policy seeks to provide a multi focused approach on addressing the socio economic impact of liquor abuse within our communities. Strict licensing conditions and penalties are imperative to ensure that licensed distributors do not sell to unlicensed traders,” said Ramdhuny.
The General Manager of the Free State Liquor Board, Mr Papi Magashule said that they have been made aware of the mushrooming of illegal taverns in these areas and the increasing levels of alcohol abuse.
He said that his office uses targeted interventions such as blitz operations as an opportunity to urge people to take responsibility of their lives by refraining from drinking irresponsibly. He encouraged those people who trade illegally to come to the Liquor Board offices and enquire about processes of attaining a liquor license or face the wrath of the law.
“Successful blitz operations will be a way of investing in real impact programmes aimed at changing behaviours and attitudes in order to curb drunk driving, to create awareness of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), promote responsible trading and discourage underage drinking,” said Magashule.
Captain Baloyi from the national office of the SAPS said that there are continuous reports of many accounts in the Free State Province where young people are increasingly falling prey to alcohol and substance abuse. He said that it goes without saying that it is a contributing factor to social ills experienced by all South African communities, and therefore it needed to be dealt with holistically.
“We must ensure that traders and consumers of alcohol adhere to compliance with the laws designed to bring about responsible liquor trading and consumption,” added Baloyi.
Several arrests were made for a variety of crimes such as drinking in public, possession of dangerous weapons, possession of dagga and possession of an illegal fire arm.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Twitter: @the_dti
