The Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Ledet) MEC Rodgers Monama says the ‘Midnight Law’, preventing liquor outlets and nightlife facilities to trade alcohol after midnight, will come into effect on August 1.

The law forms part of the Limpopo Liquor Act.

Monama made the announcement during his Nelson Mandela Day address at the Modimolle Victim Support Centre yesterday, where he said that alcohol is a contributing cause that leads to gender-based violence, child abuse, community instability, trauma incidents as well as rape and other sexual misconduct.

“This department plays a critical role in reducing alcohol abuse and supporting moderate home drinking as opposed to unsafe nightlife at various drinking outlets which continue to serve our people alcohol during hours beyond midnight,” he said.

Monama says cutting liquor trading hours will ensure that night clubs, taverns, shebeens and restaurants that sell alcohol are brought to a standstill by midnight.

“The Midnight Law regarding the closure of all liquor restaurants will be implemented without fail by August 1,” he said.

Ledet spokesperson Zaid Kalla told the Polokwane Observer that they held consultations with various stakeholders prior to the announcement of the law and that they had not received any backlash during those sessions.

“We are expecting most of the backlash to come from the public,” he said.

The newspaper previously reported on the proposed Limpopo Liquor Act following a three-day raid by the department that saw 194 out of 494 liquor outlets fined for non-compliance, including operating outside of permitted hours and non-permit renewals, among others.

Also Read: Proposed act to curb illegal liquor operations in Limpopo

Non-compliance has seen 425 operations closed between January and March, with 5 384 people having been arrested for public drinking.

Through the implementation of the act, the department hopes to ‘clean out the rot in the industry who hopes to attract young people in the lucrative liquor trade’.