The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for the Gauteng Liquor Board to take action after rugby player Thulani Popoyi’s hacked body was found outside hot spot Dollar Table Bar in Melville on 5 October.
According to DA Ward 87 councillor Amanda Forsythe, Dollar Table has been operating without a valid liquor licence, something she had been contending for some time.
“I have been trying to shut this place [Dollar Table] down since last year, because it was operating without a valid licence,” said Forsythe.
In a statement, DA Gauteng spokesperson for state-owned entities Ashor Sarupen said if the Liquor Act was enforced properly, Popoyi’s murder could have been avoided.
“Despite attempts to shut it down, the Gauteng Liqour Board has failed to enforce the Gauteng Liquor Act, which empowers law enforcement and liquor inspectors to take the necessary steps to stop illegal trading, and charge illegal traders,” said Sarupen.
He informed that the DA has written to MEC for Economic Development Lebogang Maile to “take urgent action to ensure that this establishment is no longer able to trade without a licence, and that anyone found to be involved in illegal trading at this establishment is charged appropriately for repeated violations.”
Furthermore, Sarupen said the party will submit written questions to determine why Dollar Table was allowed to continue trading despite the liquor inspectors being aware of the situation in the past. “The full weight of the law must be implemented against anyone operating illegally.”
Thulani Popoyi’s (29) burial ceremony and memorial service will take place at St Columbus Church in Parkview at 2pm on 14 October, according to his guardian Colin Law.
