The Western Cape government is seeking input into its Draft Western Cape Liquor Amendment Bill, with a series of public hearings about eleven proposed amendments to the Bill planned.
Provincial Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde, has invited Capetonians and Western Cape residents, liquor consultants, and licence holders to have their say about the proposed changes, according to a media release received from the Minister’s office. The deadline for comments on the Draft Bill is 10 May.
Minister Winde said: ‘With legislation, despite extensive public participation, some unintended consequences only come to light after full implementation. We are eager to address these issues with urgency to ensure the new Liquor Act roots out non-compliant legal liquor traders who are harming our communities. This draft bill came after consultation with several stakeholders and I’d like to encourage communities and businesses to contribute their insights to this amendment process’.
‘The Liquor Authority has received complaints from residents regarding the ‘150 litre clause’. This clause was originally inserted so that SAPS would have the power to prosecute non-legal outlets housing large amounts of liquor. They claimed to police the alcohol was for personal consumption, which was obviously not the case. Some have cited that the clause is not easily enforceable and is leading to unnecessary red tape. The clause states that a person may not possess more than 150 litres of alcohol without written permission from the Liquor Authority. The draft amendment Bill repeals this provision’, Minister Winde added.
A number of regulations relating to temporary liquor licences for events have been changed and added, including the need to apply 21 days in advance of the event, compared to 14 days previously.
The draft Western Cape Liquor Amendment Bill can be found on the Western Cape Government website www.westerncape.gov.za.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage
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