Pushback against extending liquor sales hours

THE Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in South Africa (Saapa) and residents have expressed their opposition to an application by Checkers and Pick n Pay outlets to extend liquor trading hours in Lakeside, Noordhoek and Muizenberg.

Saapa said extended trading hours meant increased alcohol availability and increased alcohol harm.

Saapa SA spokesperson Terri-Liza Fortein said: “We want to reduce alcohol availability in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) best buys for reducing alcohol. Long hours increase harm. We don’t want these trading hours to be granted. Alcohol harm is a major challenge and we need the whole (of) government approach to tackle it. The WHO best buys to reduce alcohol harm include increasing price and decreasing availability. Extending these trading hours is not in the interest of public health and alcohol-safer communities.”

The group demonstrated outside the City of Cape Town recently against the application for extended trading hours. City of Cape Town council speaker Felicity Purchase said her office received the memorandum.

“They delivered a memorandum to the civic centre and my office received it. We circulated it to all members of the appeal committee who were hearing the item,” she said.

Vrygrond ward councillor Mandy Marr said she was against the application.

“My area is largely made up of informal settlements and the alcohol usage is high, resulting in a variety of social ills, including escalated violence in homes, foetal alcohol syndrome, and a high amount of alcohol abuse. Plus proximity to schools and religious facilities.

“In principle I don’t support extended trading hours unless there is a valid reason,” she said.

Heide Goodman of the Muizenberg Lakeside Residents Association said they opposed the application.

“The location of Checkers and Liquor City, Muizenberg, is within a residential area and public space, most notably the Muizenberg Beachfront and Muizenberg Park. It is also within walking distance of the Zandvlei Recreational Area. It is common knowledge to both residents, law enforcement agencies, and store operators that a large amount of the alcohol purchased after hours is consumed in the public space.

“These spaces should always be alcohol-free so as to be considerate of children and religions that do not include alcohol in their faith. The push to further extend trade hours for the sale of alcohol is not a responsible decision considering the time now extends into mid-evening.”

Checkers and Pick n Pay did not respond to questions yesterday.