Cheers to ruling says liquor traders
Liquor traders across the province heaved a sigh of relief after the Polokwane High Court ruled that outlets may continue to trade until 02:00.
The new liquor act, dubbed the “Midnight law” came into effect on Tuesday 1 August and determined that all liquor traders must close their doors by midnight, where they previously could stay open until 02:00. Under the new law, they may however trade on Sundays.
Sekhukhune Liquor Traders Association and the EFF Capricorn lodged an urgent application against the Limpopo Economic Development Department (Ledet) in the hope of preventing them from implementing two regulations of the province’s Liquor Act. They were opposed to the shorter trading hours and the increase in liquor trading license renewal fees.
Sello Mokwana, Deputy Chairperson of the Sekhukhune Liquor Traders Association, told Die Pos that they were waiting for the judgment to be published after the ruling on Monday 4 September.
“It is a great relief that we can continue as previously. New applicants for liquor licenses, however, will have to trade under the new regulations,” he said.
According to Mokwana the implementation of the new regulations caused much uncertainty in the sector.
“Many of the traders considered retrenchments due to their shorter operating hours, but we requested them to wait until the court ruling came through,” he said.
The National Liquor Traders Council and Liquor Traders Association of South Africa state that they employ more than 282,000 workers countrywide.
Ledet said previously that the aim of the new law is to curb crime caused by liquor abuse such as gender-based violence, child abuse, community instability, trauma incidents, and various sexual offenses.
Die Pos previously reported that local pubs and taverns were worried about the loss of income that the new trading hours would bring. Many residents, however, welcomed the earlier closing hours.
