East liquor traders advised not to serve drunk customers
Woman and child abuse is usually perpetrated by people who have had too much to drink.
Mamelodi liquor traders have been reminded not to serve customers that were already drunk.
Concerned Tshwane Liquor Traders’ pleaded with liquor operators to rather send the drunk patrons home instead.
Traders chairperson Oupa Mthombeni told traders during their weekly Tuesday meetings, and part of their Women’s month celebration, at Village Pub in Mamelodi West that selling liquor to a person already under the influence was illegal.
He said most of the customers – especially men – tend to show off their hard-earned money at public places “and forget about their families at home”.
Mthombeni said it was good for business when customers were spending money “but they should always remember… when the money is finished their families are the ones who suffer at the end of the day”.
He said in most cases, this led to customers reacting violently because they had spent all their money at the tavern.
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Mthombeni urged female traders to band together and also not to allow customers to relax at their outlets with their groceries.
“Patrons must first take their belongings home before going out to relax.
“The aim of our weekly meetings, is, among others, to educate everyone in the liquor business, male and female, that they must think of the outcomes of selling to drunk customers,” Mthombeni said.
He said this was one of the main causes for woman and child abuse in the country.
Trader, Gertrude Mokwatlo encouraged female liquor traders to put other women and children ahead of the business.
“They must start acting as responsible liquor traders and think of the next person, including children.
“Final school examinations are around the corner and the learners would want to drink after finishing their exams.”
She advised the liquor traders not to support the “pens down” and “bottle up” trends by school children.
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The organisations also invited the police, department of trade industry, Musamu, liquor board, metro police and the community to join in on spreading the message.
Mokwatlo said all traders should comply with the liquor act “by 120 percent” – not to sell liquor to under-age children or pregnant women.
As part of the Women’s month celebration, the male traders prepared and served refreshments for their female counterparts at the meeting.
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