KZNLA’S worry over tavern saturation
THE Kwazulu-natal Liquor Authority (KZNLA) has expressed concern about the saturation of liquor outlets in the province.
It follows last weekend’s shootings at taverns in Pietermaritzburg and Soweto, Joburg, that left more than 20 people dead.
Acting Community Safety MEC, Jomo Sibiya, said the KZN Liquor Board ought to be worried about the high concentration of liquor establishments in one particular area.
“It is against this backdrop that the KZNLA has taken a proactive approach by commissioning a study on the socio-economic impact of alcohol use and the over-saturation of liquor outlets in the province, which was conducted through the Moses Kotane Institute (MKI).
“The research is aimed at investigating the status quo in KZN in terms of the over-saturation of liquor outlets and determining the socio-economic effects of alcohol consumption.
“The draft report has been received from the MKI and is currently being studied. Once the final report has been approved, it will be made available on the KZNLA website,” said Nomthandazo Dlamini, KZNLA communications officer.
Dlamini said communities were alerted if a liquor establishment would be operating in their area.
“The KZN Liquor Act requires every applicant to give notice of the application in the prescribed form as follows: in at least one newspaper circulating widely in the area in which the licensed premises will be located, display a notice in the prescribed form and size in a prominent place at the proposed premises, so that it is visible to passers-by,” said Dlamini, adding that if the premises were in a residential area, the applicant must simultaneously with publication of the application in the newspaper, deliver a copy of the application to the police in that area.
Further, the applicant must submit proof of compliance within seven days from date of publication and notification to the local committee.
Dlamini emphasised that for every liquor licence application, members of the public who reside within 100m of the proposed premises were invited to object or make representations as to the granting or refusal of a licence application.
“Community members who may feel that there is an over-saturation of licensed premises, are able to lodge objections to this effect.
“Should any resident object, the objection is considered by the liquor authority at an objection hearing.
“The outcome of the objection hearing will be considered at the adjudication of the licence application,” said Dlamini.
She said all applications for liquor licences were considered in terms of the KZN Liquor Licencing Act 6 of 2010, and said it was important to note that some of the existing liquor outlets were licensed in terms of the previous act of 1989.