A PROPOSAL that adult businesses be charged extra for business licenses was mooted by council last week after a proposal from uMhlanga ward councillor Heinz de Boer. He made the suggestion at an eThekwini council executive committee meeting as the matter of tariffs on business licences was brought under the spotlight. He added some adult businesses were being run as fronts for brothels.
However, both deputy mayor, Nomvuzo Shabalala and city manager Sb’u Sithole argued that this was not true.
A ‘sin tax’ refers to an unusually high tax on products and practices generally thought to be unhealthy or morally questionable.
“The city manager, Sb’u Sithole suggested that business licence tariffs could increase by five per cent and I asked why not impose a sin tax on adult businesses. Within the business licence category, you have vendors, restaurants, bed-and-breakfasts, escort agencies, as well as adult premises and massage parlours.
“I think it’s unfair to charge the same tariff rate for adult premises. They should be charged way higher. The government is always trying to find ways to raise revenue, and has resorted to sin taxes on cigarettes and alcohol. Why not expand that to escort agencies and massage parlours and generate money for the city or the health department,” he said.
De Boer’s comments come on the heels of an alleged brothel being shut down in Prestondale in December.
“There are a number of suspected brothels in the Durban North area and the proposed ‘sin tax’ will curb prostitution in our area. You can’t have your head in the ground when it comes to what’s going on at these premises,” he said.
De Boer said business licences for nightclubs, massage parlours, escort agencies and adult premises will increase if the plan goes ahead.
Durban North residents concurred with De Boer’s proposal with some suggesting the licences be pushed up to R20 000.
