Merebank tavern tussle in court

THE Pietermaritzburg High Court has heard that residents in Merebank and Merewent have raised objections to the establishment of a tavern in Merebank.

The KwaZulu-Natal Liquor Board, mindful of the opposition by the Merebank Residents’ Association, the Merebank Community Policing Forum and the Merewent Community Policing Forum, rejected the application of Mahadew Madanjith.

That hearing took place in June last year.

Madanjith, of Umarkot Crescent, Merebank, represented by advocate Shan Govender, challenged the board’s decision in October last year.

The court subsequently ordered the board to reconsider the application.

Because of claims by Madanjith that the board was dragging its feet and did not comply with the court’s order, he filed another application in the Pietermaritzburg High Court for the board and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism to be held in contempt of court.

The board and the department are opposing that application, which will be before the court on August 5.

D Naidoo, vice-chairman of the Merebank Residents’ Association, said in a letter, which forms part of the court record, that the granting of a tavern licence to Madanjith would compound the social ills of the suburb.

“The association opposes the granting of a licence for B Boyz Tavern. The approval of a licence will harm the community. The association has received complaints on a daily basis of intoxicated people not respecting senior citizens and others.

“Complaints were also received of those indulging in alcohol selling jewellery and other items to get their booze. The community is battling with poverty.

“The situation will worsen if the licence is granted,’’ said Naidoo.

J Naidoo, of the Merebank Community Policing Forum, said the community did not want the tavern to operate.

“Alcohol addiction is of concern in Merebank. We cannot afford to have Madanjith operating a tavern here.”

In a letter written by a Mrs Bassier, chairwoman of the Merewent Community Police Forum, she said the tavern would harm the disadvantaged in Merebank.

In the present application Madanjith said he had the support of 30 residents in Umarkot Crescent for the licence to be granted.

The executive manager of the KwaZulu-Natal Liquor Board, Elliot Mashile, said Madanjith had not disclosed to the board that he had paid five admission of guilt fines, ranging from R100 to R500, from 2011 to 2012 for illegally selling liquor.