Gauteng Liquor Board Powerless?

Gauteng Liquor Board - The Gauteng Liquor Board told a provincial parliament committee that it is powerless as, ito the current Gauteng Liquor Act, it -

• Cannot revoke liquor licences,
• Cannot refuse to renew liquor licences if complaints or objections are lodged against existing licence holders,
• Estimates nearly 50% of all liquor traders in Gauteng trade without a liquor licence.

The Gauteng Liquor Board requested the MEC to expedite the introduction of a new Gauteng Liquor Act, something which has been pending for a while.   The Board alleged that this would :

• Allow faster processing of liquor licence applications, and
• Result in quick and effective action against illegal liquor outlets.

LiquorWise has experienced a number of shortcomings in the current Gauteng Liquor Act for many years and would welcome the introduction of a new Liquor Act for Gauteng to address the situation.   The legislative process is slow and it usually takes a number of years to get a new liquor act passed and implemented.   The sooner the process is started, the better.

[Article by The Licence Co (LiquorWise Division) from an article in Westside-Eldos]