Police meet with tavern owners about various challenges
Business operating hours and safety at taverns were among the many challenges discussed when police engaged with tavern owners in Kagiso.
Police along with the Gauteng Department of Community Safety addressed local tavern owners about the challenges that affect their businesses and how they contribute to contact crimes in the Kagiso policing precinct.
Alcohol use in the community has become prevalent with a wide variety of crimes ranging from drunk driving and violence being prevalent in taverns caused by the overconsumption of alcohol. As part of crime prevention implemented by police, local taverns were approached by the police to educate them on how they can play a role in ensuring their environments are safe.
Kagiso Police’s Vispol Operations officer, Lieutenant Colonel JC van der Merwe addressed and educated tavern owners on many issues related to the Liquor Act.
According to the government, the Liquor Act 59 of 2003 aims to establish national norms and standards to maintain economic unity within the liquor industry.
Click here to read more about the Act.
Other challenges and concerns raised by police include business operating hours, safety at taverns, unlicensed liquor traders as well as the relationship between police and tavern owners. Representatives from two different liquor associations as well as tavern owners were also in attendance.
The engagement was described as a success and all parties committed to working closely to improve the worker relations and sharing of information on wanted suspects, and crime.
