Johannesburg – The Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB) has announced "special dispensation liquor licences", or a weekend-pass, for the January 6-8 weekend of the annual birthday celebration of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Development, Lebogang Maile, on Tuesday welcomed the decision of the GLB to relax the liquor trading times for licensed in-house liquor traders during the forthcoming weekend.
Thousands of people are expected to flock to Gauteng to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the founding of the ANC, with the main event scheduled to take place on Sunday at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
In a statement, Maile said the event was expected to contribute positively to the economy of the province, especially in the areas of tourism and hospitality.
Maile highlighted the potential economic spin-offs for business people, particularly SMMEs in the province, as a result of extended trading hours.
"Having consulted with the GLB, more particularly my interaction with the chairperson of the Liquor Authority, I am satisfied that there is legislative latitude to, albeit on a temporary basis, relax conditions and the trading regime applicable to all licensed 'bona fide' in-house liquor traders, in good standing with the Liquor Board, during the designated days," Maile said.
But Maile emphasised that the "weekend-pass" would be granted only to deserving liquor traders, to be determined by the GLB on a case-by-case basis. Maile said all qualifying liquor traders should, before being granted the "weekend-pass", demonstrate commitment to partnering with relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of patrons and tourists.
Applicants for the "weekend-pass" would be required to provide the GLB with an undertaking that the premises would be gun-free and that the noise levels generated from the premises would not cause unacceptable disturbance or nuisance to neighbours.
It would be a further requirement that all qualifying licensees provide confirmation of appointed managers who would be answerable to the GLB.
Qualifying licensees would also be required to provide sufficient proof that the said premises comply with the basic safety and evacuation measures as prescribed for in the Gauteng Liquor Act or applicable municipal by-laws.
The GLB said the relaxation of the trading hours was in line with section 3 and section 33 of the Gauteng Liquor Act which grants it the discretion to amend liquor licensing conditions such as trading times.