Stricter liquor controls sail through council
29 July 2010, 13:37
By Ella Smook
Metro Writer
The City of Cape Town's new liquor by-law has been passed by the council without opposition, although several councillors called for even stricter time limits regulating the sale of liquor.
The by-law which dictates where and when liquor can be sold in Cape Town, will come into effect from January 1 next year.
The city had consulted broadly through a public participation process before the go-ahead for implementation was given on Wednesday.
While the draft by-law had met fierce resistance on the part of most of the 618 people and organisations who commented on it, because it reduced trading times for various categories of liquor sellers and outlawed most sales in residential areas, a number of councillors on Wednesday called for a further reduction in trading hours.
The ACDP's Vincent Bergh said the trading hours of establishments selling liquor in residential areas, such as hotels, backpacker's lodges, pubs and taverns and establishments in informal residential areas, should be shortened so that sales close at 9pm and not 11pm.
Two ANC councillors said regardless of what time last rounds had to be called by law, establishments carried on until the early morning hours anyway.
"Many people are being abused and killed. It is because of the times they spend at taverns that are illegal," said Belinda Landingwe.
Councillor Patrick Mngxunyeni invited councillors to visit hospitals between Friday and Sunday to witness the effects that alcohol had on communities. He said stricter enforcement was necessary.
DA councillor Nicki Holderness said that communities and residents would in future play a large role in the allocation of liquor licences, while there would be "considerable penalties" for wholesalers who supplied alcohol to illegal businesses.
Councillor Taki Amira said that a series of pamphlets would be distributed. These would inform residents of their rights and on the steps to be taken when reporting illegal activities.
On Thursday morning Amira said the by-law was aimed at discouraging the sale of liquor in residential areas. Traders had to renew their licences each December so the new by-law would be in place by January, said Amira.
Metro Writer
The City of Cape Town's new liquor by-law has been passed by the council without opposition, although several councillors called for even stricter time limits regulating the sale of liquor.
The by-law which dictates where and when liquor can be sold in Cape Town, will come into effect from January 1 next year.
The city had consulted broadly through a public participation process before the go-ahead for implementation was given on Wednesday.
While the draft by-law had met fierce resistance on the part of most of the 618 people and organisations who commented on it, because it reduced trading times for various categories of liquor sellers and outlawed most sales in residential areas, a number of councillors on Wednesday called for a further reduction in trading hours.
The ACDP's Vincent Bergh said the trading hours of establishments selling liquor in residential areas, such as hotels, backpacker's lodges, pubs and taverns and establishments in informal residential areas, should be shortened so that sales close at 9pm and not 11pm.
Two ANC councillors said regardless of what time last rounds had to be called by law, establishments carried on until the early morning hours anyway.
"Many people are being abused and killed. It is because of the times they spend at taverns that are illegal," said Belinda Landingwe.
Councillor Patrick Mngxunyeni invited councillors to visit hospitals between Friday and Sunday to witness the effects that alcohol had on communities. He said stricter enforcement was necessary.
DA councillor Nicki Holderness said that communities and residents would in future play a large role in the allocation of liquor licences, while there would be "considerable penalties" for wholesalers who supplied alcohol to illegal businesses.
Councillor Taki Amira said that a series of pamphlets would be distributed. These would inform residents of their rights and on the steps to be taken when reporting illegal activities.
On Thursday morning Amira said the by-law was aimed at discouraging the sale of liquor in residential areas. Traders had to renew their licences each December so the new by-law would be in place by January, said Amira.
- This article was originally published on page 10 of The Cape Argus on July 29, 2010
