EMPD continues raids on illegal shebeens
The Smart Kitchen Fast Foods, operating illegally on Sontonga Street, Extension 5 in Palm Ridge, was also raided.
Obstinate illegal township liquor traders who seem bent on breaking the rules and continue to sell liquor without the required documentation received a shock when EMPD officers launched a surprise second raid on Friday, 24 June on their premises.
Four tavern owners operating illegally were arrested and liquor valued at R105 000 was confiscated. The special operation was conducted between 7pm and midnight and a total of eight taverns were raided.
Four were found to be operating legally while four were conducting their establishments without licences. The 36-year-old owner of the SGA Tavern situated on Sontonga Road was arrested and various brands of alcohol estimated to be worth R43 000 were confiscated by the EMPD officers. He was found to be operating without a licence.
The Smart Kitchen Fast Foods, operating illegally on Sontonga Street, Extension 5 in Palm Ridge, was also raided. EMPD officers found large quantities of bottles of wine, ciders a few spirits as well as several bottles of 750ml beers. Alcohol valued at R21 000 was seized. During the raid, the 42-year-old owners were arrested for selling liquor illegally.
In Tsietse Section at the intersection of Sontonga and Mnqandane Streets, the 48-year-old owner of Ebhubesini Tavern was also arrested for illegally selling liquor. Ciders, spirits and beer valued at R51,000 were confiscated by the EMPD.
In Moriting Street the EMPD officers turned into angels of mercy. They let a 59-year-old woman who was found operating a tavern without a licence at Martin General Dealer off the hook because she was found to be ill. However she was given a stern warning by the raiding officers to stop trading in liquor illegally. Three cases of beer found on her premises were confiscated by the EMPD officers.
All the arrested suspects have been charged and detained at the Ramokonopi police station for operating taverns without a valid licence. They appeared later at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Chairperson of the Gauteng Liquor Forum, Linda Madida, has distanced the forum and its compliant members from the activities of illegal operators. Madida urged people who are involved in the trade to ensure that they operate legally in order to avoid unnecessary raids by the EMPD for failing to comply with municipal trading by-laws.
EMPD spokesperson, Lt Kobedi Mokheseng, confirmed the liquor raids will continue throughout the Kathorus area and those who fail to comply with the rules will be dealt with accordingly for violating standing municipal trading by-laws and requirements.
