169 fines, amounting to over R6 million, have been issued to licensed liquor outlets across the province by the Western Cape Liquor Authority (WCLA). The fines were issued between 1 November 2022 and 24 November 2023. The Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen says forty-nine of these fines were issued to licence holders in the priority areas.
169 fines have been issued to licensed liquor outlets
Priority areas in the Metro, and where the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers are also deployed, are Atlantis, Bishop Lavis, Delft, Khayelitsha, Kraaifontein, Mfuleni, Mitchells Plain, Nyanga, Harare, Gugulethu and Philippi (Hanover Park). Across the 5 district municipalities, the areas are Beaufort West (Central Karoo), George (Garden Route), Witzenberg, (Cape Winelands), Swartland (West Coast) and Theewaterskloof (Overberg) Municipalities.
Priority areas in the Metro
In the same period, 6 112 inspections were conducted across the province of which 3 771 (61%) occurred in the priority areas. Allen says 83 non-compliance reports were submitted of which 58 or nearly 70% emanated from the priority areas.
He added, “These notices range from failing to comply with the conditions of their licence; “failing to comply with the Western Cape Liquor Act or a compliance notice.”
To combat the harms associated with the abuse of alcohol
Allen stressed that the continued work of the WCLA is critical to combat the harms associated with the abuse of alcohol. He says he is encouraged by the operations of the inspectors, as he has seen where outlets are operating outside the parameters of the law and where avoidable acts of lawlessness tend to occur.
Most non-compliance reports come from priority areas
“The second quarter, July to September 2023 crime statistics for the 2023/24 financial year, indicate that in the Western Cape, 16 people were killed, 12 attempted murders occurred, 6 alleged rapes were reported and 119 grievous bodily harm assault (GBH) cases happened at liquor outlets,” said Allen.
We all have a role to play in creating safer communities
He has expressed his deep concern that most non-compliance reports come from priority areas.
Allen said, “I encourage the inspectors to maintain their level of scrutiny, as this will assist in combatting crime that might be linked to the misuse of liquor.”
He has urged liquor traders to adhere to and comply with their licensing conditions, as this will ensure that they remain profitable, continue to create jobs and not contribute to any criminal activity.
“We all have a role to play in creating safer communities and we urge businesses to work with us to reach our goals,” concluded Allen.
READ MORE: Tavern owner arrested
