Traders association seek interdict against Limpopo Liquor Act
The Limpopo Liquor Traders Association cited among other reasons that the new act will negatively impact in particular the liquor sales and performance arts industry.
POLOKWANE – The Limpopo Liquor Traders association this week filed an application for an interdict against the new Limpopo Liquor Act that came into effect on August 1.
This effort to call for the suspension and review of the Act on 2009, will be heard in court on Tuesday.
Among other regulations, the association is particularly displeased with the prohibition on the sale of liquor after midnight.
Read more: Lim Liquor Act’s Midnight Law gets backlash from industry
In a meeting held with Economic Development MEC, Rodgers Manama on July 24, they cited among other reasons that the new act will negatively impact in particular the liquor sales industry, but also the performance arts industry.
At the time, the department committed to revert to concerned raised with a comprehensive response by last Thursday, but had not done so by Wednesday morning, according to Limpopo Artists Movement’s Mpho Mashabela and Sekhukhune Liquor Traders Association’s Sello Mokwana.
Read more: New law will prevent liquor trading after midnight in Limpopo
Mokwana said in their prohibition application, they cited that their submissions during the public participation period were not adhered to by the department.
“We stated that reduced trading hours will surely reduce their income and impact performing artists negatively, but our concern was not listed,” he said.
Departmental spokesperson, Zaid Kalla had earlier comment that the stakeholder participation period before the new law was implemented, had dragged on for close to 14 years.
Amid low participation by stakeholders, no one indicated that they were against the proposal, he indicated.
Meanwhile, Mashabela said their members would picket outside court next week.
“We call on all affected stakeholders to join us on August 8 from 10:00.”
Among the reasons for the implementation of the new Act, is the burden on hospitals in the province between midnight and 02:00.
Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba indicated that casualty wards overflow in this period, mostly because of liquor-related incidents.
“As a casualty ward officer around 2009, the raw data showed that stab wounds, vehicle accidents and gunshot incidents were rife. When we looked at the national surveys performed in Limpopo, we saw that such fatalities occurred directly as a result of alcohol intake,” she said.
