During a recent Cleveland Community Police Forum (CCPF) meeting, concerns were raised by residents about the number of crimes such as assaults and domestic violence, as a result of alcohol consumption.
Clr Carlos da Rocha, of ward 66, raised concerns about the number of liquor licences granted. He believes more power should be granted to the SAPS to stop certain business owners from obtaining liquor licences.
“Crimes as a result of alcohol consumption are rife. Too many pubs are being granted licences and something needs to be done,” he said.
Mr Godfrey Mothibe, the chairperson of the CCPF, said he has seen young children drinking and authorities need to take decisive action.
“I have seen young children early on a weekday drinking when they should be at home doing homework. I have also seen them drinking on weekends. We need to stand together and attend to these problems,” he said.
Mr Thabo Thipe, from the Department of Community Safety, said people in Hillbrow petitioned against certain businesses and liquor licences were not granted.
“We need to have a meeting with all relevant departments to discuss and find ways of addressing concerns in this precinct. Some people apply for a liquor licence to sell alcohol in a restaurant or to sell in bulk. In the meantime, they are operating as pubs and they should not be. We went to hostels in Jeppe and found problems. Businesses are operating illegally or there are too many of them in close proximity. There are also some people involved in bribery. So we need to meet with all the relevant departments to iron out these issues,” he said.
He also said there are some pubs that are not closing at the stipulated times.
Captain Peter Ramodisa, the operational commander and liquor officer from the Cleveland SAPS, said he recently attended a course related to liquor establishments.
“A new act to address issues will be implemented in December. A lot of people are complaining about liquor establishments. Some are too close to churches and schools. At the course, we were informed about how to check licences and so forth to determine if they are fake or not. We know how to tackle illegal establishments and are attending to problems. The co-ordinator of the meeting we attended recently will have a meeting with the Liquor Board to highlight concerns,” he said.
Colonel Bongani Dlamini, the Cleveland SAPS station commander, said illegal liquor establishments are a problem in the precinct, however, officers are attending to problems the best they can.
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