WC liquor inspections continue after lifting of booze ban

THE Western Cape Liquor Authority (WCLA) has resumed its operations after the lifting of the alcohol ban, conducting 44 inspections last week and submitting a number of noncompliance reports.

Enforcement operations were conducted between February 1 and 7 in areas including Atlantis, Steenberg, Retreat, Khayelitsha and Nomzamo near Strand.

These operations resulted in 184 Liquor Licensing Tribunal (LLT) requests attended to, five complaints investigated, one notice from the LLT served, two compliance certificates issued, one compliance notice issued, two unlicensed premises visited where notices were issued and two non-compliance reports submitted for prosecution.

During an operation by liquor inspectors in the Mossel Bay/ Groot Brak precinct, all premises were found to be compliant and all protocols in terms of the regulations were followed.

The WCLA said a complaint about lack of social distancing and mask wearing was investigated in Table View.

The premises were found to have hand sanitiser available at the entrance, but stricter Covid-19 safety measures were needed. They were issued with a warning.

In an operation with Law Enforcement in Khayelitsha, Nomzamo and Strand, 12 licensed premises were visited, one Section 73 report was submitted for prosecution, two Section 20 notices were served and one LLT request was attended to.

Between the start of the lockdown in March last year and February 5, the WCLA has conducted a total of 362 investigations into licence holders who reportedly contravened the law.

Of these investigations, 96 matters were placed on the LLT case roll of which 55 licences were suspended; 23 applications were dismissed; 17 applications referred for prosecution; and one application withdrawn.

Community safety MEC Albert Fritz said: “In 31 matters, fines to the amount of R2.86 million (were issued), of which an amount of R1.6 million was suspended for a period of 24 months on condition that the licence holder does not contravene the Act and licence conditions again during this period.”

Over the same period, provincial traffic services said 12 arrests had been made for driving under the influence of alcohol.

“A total of 38 people were killed in 34 crashes, 23 of them pedestrians,” Provincial Transport and Public Works department spokesperson Jandré Bakker said.

“Never drink and drive. Even small amounts of alcohol can slow down your response in an emergency.”