New Limpopo Liquor Regulations – Good or bad?

A highly controversial amendment to the Limpopo Liquor Act is set to ruffle some feathers. The act now stipulates that no establishment will be allowed to sell liquor after midnight, as from 1 August, the act also now allows for the sale of liquor on Sundays.

Operating hours for establishments that sell liquor used to be until 2 am, operating hours will now be reduced to midnight. There was outrage when establishments learned about this amendment last year, and the EFF and several liquor associations challenged this amendment in court, but the Polokwane High Court dismissed the application by the Sekhukhune Liquor Traders Association to suspend the act.

Die Pos interviewed some of our local businesses in Bela-Bela that would be affected by the new law and learned their opinions on the amendments to the Limpopo Liquor Act and how it would affect their enterprises:

Thys and MC van Zyl from Springbok Boma were not fazed by the new amendments at all, according to them, very few pubs, and bars make money after midnight, and patrons who are still around at that time, are either over the limit or looking for trouble. Springbok Boma will have no qualms to serve the last round at 23:00.

Adel and Fabrice Bonthoux of Langplaas Family Restaurant won’t have any issues with the implementation of the new law. Their kitchen already closes at 21:00, and having extra time to clean, and closing earlier will be a boon to the staff.

For Marco Wannenburg and Cayla Wakefield of Hart-n-Bos Pub and Grill, the new law spells disaster. Unlike other establishments, they focus more on the younger crowd out for a jolly time, and not as much on the provision of food. Their establishment has given rescue to young people with limited budgets to socialize.

This opportunity will be curbed with the new amendment.

For Marco the main issue though, will be the loss of income for his employees.

“Those two or three hours less work per day may sound nice, but financially my employees will earn about R500 less per week (not including any tips they would’ve received).” For his business, it is realistic to foresee an average drop of approximately R5 000 per month with the new trading hours. It will be really difficult to keep employees motivated with such a significant drop in income.

He stated that he would have to change the entire dynamic of his business and focus more on being a restaurant, than a bar.

The Limpopo Department of Economic Development stated in a press release that, ‘… communities from various policing areas are now in charge of ensuring all liquor traders comply with trading hours and other regulations. The police also emphasized that come 1 August, they will enforce the law without fear or favor.’

A Provincial Notice, 440 of 2023 demanded that all current license holders must convert their licenses to the new Limpopo Liquor Act No 5 of 2009 by 31 July 2024.

MEC for the Department of Economic Development in Limpopo, Rodgers Monama said the conversion of licenses was compulsory for every license holder in the province.

With the new law coming into effect on 1 August, only time will tell if it will be feasible, or not.