Crusading Da Rocha rocks booze boat
BEZ VALLEY – The Ward 66 councillor is concerned about the growing number of outlets selling alcohol in his ward, very close to schools and churches.
Ward 66 councillor Carlos da Rocha is concerned about the high number of liquor outlets in his ward.
“Alcohol is the cause of social ills in our society and I’m seeing alcohol outlets being opened in every corner of my ward, and some are even next to churches and schools, and that concerns me a lot,” he said.
“The community has complained about the noise that goes on until the late hours of the night. These liquor outlets, some of them are so close to schools. I fear that it is not going to be a good environment for the pupils. It seems like the owners have no regard for liquor laws.
“By law, a liquor outlet has to be a certain distance from churches and schools, and before opening, they need to display a poster to let residents know they are planning to open a liquor outlet so that residents can object [if necessary].”
He said it was easier to open a drinking spot in his ward than it was to open a spaza shop. “Some of these places front as lodges or restaurants, but the core business is alcohol. They open early in the morning and are open throughout the day until late at night. If you approach them and ask if they have gone through the proper channels, the owners insult you and some will close for a few days and be up and running days later.”
He said some of the people in his ward were very poor. “A number of people are poverty stricken in my area, and with so much alcohol outlets I’m concerned that they see alcohol as a solution to their problems. Also, I’m concerned how the liquor licensing board can allow so much alcohol outlets to be open.”
He said he had sent many emails to the Gauteng Liquor Board but had not received a response.
Joburg East Express attempted to contact the Gauteng Liquor Board, however, no comment was received by the time of going to press.
Also read: Noisy restaurant upsets residents
