BALDWIN NDABA
NEW liquor traders will have to wait until February for licences in a provincial government attempt to clamp down on excessive boozing and curb the growing number of foetal alcohol syndrome (Fas) cases.
The Gauteng provincial government has placed a moratorium, starting next month, on the application for new liquor licences.
Announcing the moratorium yesterday, Gauteng Economic Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu said it would affect new applications, transfer of existing valid licences to a new owner and occasional permits.
Renewed licences will be normally processed by the Liquor Board.
She said the move was prompted by a disturbing number of Grade 1 pupils presenting with FAS symptoms.
“The prevalence of Fas in Gauteng was found to be 19 out of every 1 000 Grade 1 learners in 2003.
“Statistics reveal that, in 2002, 40 percent of all non-natural deaths in Gauteng had a blood alcohol concentration greater than or equal to 0.05g/100ml.
“The national average was 46 percent. Forty-eight percent of people receiving rehabilitation for substance abuse in centres within Gauteng had alcohol as a primary or secondary drug of abuse.”
Mahlangu also tabled a draft policy on liquor trading in the Gauteng legislature yesterday.
“The intention of this draft policy is to amend the liquor selling times and abolish liquor advertising.
“There will be no automatic right to the renewal of a liquor licence.
“We want to urge members of the community and other stakeholders to comment on this draft policy before it is made law.”
Mahlangu said she has noticed a number of inefficiencies in the liquor industry, ranging from a growing number of pirate liquor licences and no systems to process new applications.
“It has also become clear that these problems cannot be addressed within the current structure, and to this end I have considered it necessary to introduce a moratorium on certain applications.
“It must be noted that I am fully aware of the negative consequences from an economic perspective and otherwise as to the impact of the moratorium on business as a whole.
“Notwithstanding this, I am of a view that the moratorium is necessary and will upon lifting usher a new era in liquor for which I’m confident that all concerned will be happy with the outcomes.”
Mahlangu also vowed to crack down on illegal trading.