New law will prevent liquor trading after midnight in Limpopo
The law forms part of the Limpopo Liquor Act and will mean that liquor outlets and nightlife facilities that trade alcohol will no longer be allowed to operate after midnight.
POLOKWANE – The Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC Rodgers Monama said the Midnight Law will come into effect on August 1.
The law forms part of the Limpopo Liquor Act and will mean that liquor outlets and nightlife facilities that trade alcohol will no longer be allowed to operate after midnight.
Monama made the announcement during his Nelson Mandela Day address at the Modimolle Victim Support Centre on Tuesday where he said that alcohol is a contributing cause that leads to Gender Based Violence, child abuse, community instability, trauma incidents as well as rape and other sexual misconduct.
“This department plays a critical role in reducing alcohol abuse and supporting moderate home drinking as opposed to unsafe nightlife at various drinking outlets which continue to serve our people alcohol during hours beyond midnight,” he said.
Monama has vowed to cut liquor trading hours and the law will ensure that night clubs, taverns, shebeens and restaurants that sell alcohol be brought to a standstill by midnight during operation.
“The Midnight Law regarding the closure of all liquor restaurants will be implemented without fail by August 1,” he said.
Ledet spokesperson Zaid Kalla told the Polokwane Observer that they held consultations with various stakeholders prior to the announcement of the law and that they had not received any backlash during those sessions.
“We are expecting most of the backlash to come from the public,” he said.
The Observer previously reported on the proposed Limpopo Liquor Act following a three-day raid by the department that saw 194 out of 494 liquor outlets fined for non-compliance, including operating outside of permitted hours and non-permit renewals, among others.
Read more: Proposed Act to curb illegal liquor operations in Limpopo
The act will, among many other provisions, allow for the closing down of operations that are unlicensed or unregistered.
Non-compliance has seen 425 operations closed down between January and March, with 5 384 people having been arrested for public drinking.
Through the implementation of the act, the department hopes to “clean out the rot in the industry who hopes to attract young people in the lucrative liquor trade”.
