Durban - Rugby fans who make game day at the Shark Tank a long affair by socialising on the Kings Park outer fields face arrest if caught drinking alcohol as the police move to enforce existing legislation banning boozing in public spaces.
The move to clamp down on alcohol consumption follows the death of rugby fan Brett Williams, who was beaten to death, apparently by a drunken mob, after a rugby match.
Now even possessing alcohol could put rugby supporters at Kings Park behind bars as police warn they will clamp down. They will also be looking out for anyone selling, or in possession of, alcohol in areas of the stadium precinct not licensed for this - and the outer fields is where they will start.
This news will not be appreciated by many of the Kings Park faithful who enjoy socialising with friends and family beside their cars before and after the rugby.
Fans who purchase alcohol at stadium huts or clubs and drink in the stands or within the stadium parameters will not be affected.
KZN Liquor Board chief executive officer Stella Khumalo said Kings Park had a Sports Ground licence, which allowed it to sell and supply liquor in the stadium, not the outer fields.
Decades-old tradition will now be broken as Williams’s murder has spotlighted the rampant alcohol abuse and under-age drinking before and after matches.
Khumalo said that after Williams died the board advised Kings Park management to beef up security. It also warned the liquor inspector would now be constantly monitoring the area to ensure compliance with the Liquor Act.
Police spokesperson Thulani Zwane said police would ensure no illegal alcohol consumption took place: “Anyone found in possession of or selling or drinking alcohol illegally will be arrested and we urge supporters to behave themselves and enjoy the beautiful game.”
The Sharks management were unable to comment on their plans to ensure that alcohol was consumed legally until after one of their “regular” meetings with police this week. However, sources at the stadium said alcohol consumption on the outer fields was the source of problems.
One said: “When you come to the rugby and sit in the stands you can probably, realistically, only get one or two drinks during the game as the queues are long and they stop serving alcohol when the game is over. It is those people who bring their own alcohol and drink on the outer fields before the game and after the game that cause problems.”
Wayne Scott, the chairman of the Berea Rovers Club, said the club would be giving every patron driving on to its fields a letter explaining that if they chose to drink at their vehicles they would be doing so at their own risk.
“Obviously this is going to affect clubs like ours as people who buy alcohol from our bars may now not want to if they cannot drink it at their cars. We may have to look at reducing our prices so that they are encouraged to come in and drink at the bar.
“I do not know of anywhere in this country or even overseas where you can find the same atmosphere you find here at Kings Park. But recent incidents, by a minority, have spoilt it and the police now have to act, and rightly so.”
Sharks’ Supporters Club chairperson George Laas said its members were older, and included families with children, therefore he had no problems with illegal drinking. He had full confidence that the Sharks would clamp down on illegal boozing.
Steve Haag, the owner of the Coyote Super Suite, said he could not comment on the outer fields as he focused on his club and ensured it held the correct licences.
Clubs in and around the stadium - like Berea Rovers, Collegians and the Sharks’ Supporters Club - hold club liquor licences, which allowed them to sell and supply liquor to registered club members. Alcohol can only be consumed on the club premises.
The One Stop Club and Coyote Super Suite hold special licences, which allow them to sell and supply liquor, including incidental entertainment. They are open to the public, but alcohol can only be consumed on the licensed premises.
Suites are not allowed to sell liquor unless they have a licence. They can only supply free liquor.
The Mercury