Police talk with liquor traders ahead of the festive season
The police launched the Festive Season Liquor Operation, which will run until the end of January, and during which visibility by members will be increased. This, Kotzé said, will be done through street patrols, stop-and-searches, road blocks and block and search.
POLOKWANE – Members of the police this week held a meeting with liquor traders at the police station, ahead of the festive season, to ensure open communication lines between parties in an effort to curb crime.
Col André Kotzé said the police would be awarding certificates as tokens of appreciation to liquor outlets that comply with the Liquor Board regulations and attend meetings.
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The police launched the Festive Season Liquor Operation, which will run until the end of January, and during which visibility by members will be increased. This, Kotzé said, will be done through street patrols, stop-and-searches, roadblocks and block and search. During the meeting, operators said one of the problems they encounter is patrons who hang around on the premises after the permitted time of 02:00.
Kotzé commented that traders may allow patrons to finish their drinks on the premises, however, no liquor may be sold after this time Liquor outlet owners further cited a problem in getting banned customers to stay away from their premises.
They were advised to issue verbal warnings to perpetrators, and, should this not have the desired effect, restrain them with cable ties and call the police so a case of trespassing could be opened.
The police reminded outlet owners that the floor plans of their restaurants should correspond with what it physically looks like inside the establishment.
“You must ensure to stay within the prescripts of the law, to ensure the continued use of your licence. The floor plan on the application needs to be the one in the outlet.”
Kotzé also mentioned that, if owners were present at their outlets, it would not be necessary to have managers. “It is when the owner is not available that the establishment must have a manager who can account to the police.”
This, he said, was a priority especially in terms of franchised outlets.
