Friday 11 October 2013

New Liquor Trading Hours for Cape Town?


Liquor law -  The public has until 31 October 2013 to comment on an amended by-law (“Draft by-law Control of Undertakings”) mainly dealing with  liquor trading hours of Cape Town businesses.   This follows several public hearings, at which 90% of those in attendance voiced their unhappiness with the current liquor trading days/hours.   Apart from proposals regarding trading hours, the by-law also gives law-enforcement agencies greater powers of enforcement.

This turnaround by the City of Cape Town is welcomed by most members of the public.   Liquor traders, however, complain about having to carry the burden of additional legal fees as they are forced to apply if they want their trading hours amended.    They believe the City of Cape Town should bear this cost, because it failed to implement the will of the majority of Capetonians when the current by-law was finalized in 2013.  If the proposed amendments are implemented, it will mean that liquor trading hours will be the same as they were before the by-law was enacted.   “The public’s perception is that all liquor stores automatically sell until 8pm and on Sundays”, one liquor traders complained.  

The main proposed changes are :
  • Off-consumption licence holders may apply to trade until 8pm and on Sundays
  • On-consumption licence holders may apply to trade until 4am
  • The new by-law requires the display of hours of trade and zoning certificates.

[Article by Michelle Jones(Cape Times), edited by LiquorWise]

Thursday 10 October 2013

Bill to ban liquor ads

Liquor Ads -  Government is adamant to proceed with the banning of liquor ads.  No South African should doubt this anymore as cabinet has approved the advertising of  a draft Bill banning alcohol advertising.  The Bill seeks to restrict the advertisement of alcoholic beverages, and sponsorship associated with alcoholic beverages.
This decision is controversial for a number of reasons, the most important being :
  • Job losses -  Experts estimate that up to 12 000 jobs may be lost at a time when the South African economy can ill afford to lose any jobs. 
  • Research -  A study of 20 countries over 26 years found that alcohol advertising bans did not decrease the consumption of alcohol.


Most South Africans would like to see the ill-effects of alcohol consumption reduced, but don’t believe a ban on advertising would produce the results wanted.   It is believed that alcohol abuse will only be reduced when the socio-economic and unemployment challenges are addressed.
(Article by SAPA, edited by LiquorWise)

Gauteng liquor licence applications to be evaluated much faster

Liquor licence applications -  The proposed new Gauteng liquor act will reduce the time to evaluate liquor licence applications to 49 working days.     This was promised by the Gauteng MEC for economic development, Mxolisi Xayiya, at the launch of the Gauteng Liquor Awareness Month in Boksburg recently.    He also promised an internal database of all licences, which would allow licence fee payments to be allocated accurately.    

Industry role players remain sceptical, as similar reasons were given for the Gauteng liquor board placing a moratorium on all liquor licence applications for about 6 months in 2011/2012.    Turnaround times are not perceived to have improved since the moratorium was lifted.

(Article by The New Age, edited by LiquorWise)

Gauteng liquor inspectors to patrol shebeens

Liquor licence -   Tavern owners in Gauteng should take notice of the legislature’s intention to strengthen the liquor inspectorate when the new liquor act is implemented.    This was announced at the fifth and final public hearing on the proposed new liquor bill at Mabopane.   Tavern owners, however, were more concerned about the inefficiency of the liquor licensing application system as this delayed their entrance into the small business sector.

(Article by Eyewitness News, edited by LiquorWise)

SARS to advise liquor traders

Liquor licence -  The South African revenue service (SARS) has started to engage with liquor traders in advising them on how to be tax compliant to avoid penalties.     It will come as a wake-up call to most small liquor traders as it is estimated that a large number are not registered for income tax.

(Article by The Star, edited by LiquorWise)

Fake Liquor Permits in Gauteng

Liquor licences -  The Gauteng Liquor Board promised to deal severely with those liquor traders using fake permits.    It said that his was one of the biggest factors which is hampering the liquor industry.    The Liquor Board has the co-operation of the SA Police to check compliance by liquor traders in the festive season and will focus on trading hours and the sale of liquor to children.

(Article edited by LiquorWise)