Operation focuses on liquor-related crimes

More than 50 liquor outlets ranging from taverns, restaurants, lodges and distributors were visited during a liquor awareness and enforcement operation in the Musina and Makhado area on the weekend resulting in fines of just over R10 000 being issued.
The operation was conducted by the National Liquor Authority (NLA) of the Department of Trade and Industry (dti), the Police, Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Ledet) and the Limpopo Liquor Board.
The objective of the operation was to curb illegal trading of liquor, create awareness on the effects of alcohol abuse and ensuring that liquor licence holders comply with the conditions of their licences, according to a media statement issued by dti Spokesperson Sidwell Medupe.
The awareness campaign and enforcement operation was extended to malls and border gates of the two areas. Fines to the value of R10 650 were issued and three compliance notices were handed to those who failed to produce renewed licences for liquor trading.
Sello Motau of the Police’s National Liquor Control Unit described the operation as a success and warned those who are trading liquor illegally. He emphasised that perpetrators would be arrested and face the full might of the law. Motau was confident that those who intended to trade illegally would fear the law and will ensure that they always stick to the rules set out for them.
He further stressed that follow-up visits would be carried out, especially to all the liquor traders who received compliance notices to ensure that they obey the law.
“The liquor officers must keep on going back to check if the people do not start selling illegally and provide them with more information on how to register to be a legal liquor trader. We need to get to a point where we normalise the legality of trading especially in deep rural areas. Most importantly, education and awareness by all stakeholders must be prioritised at all times,” Motau was quoted to have said.
Chief Director of the NLA at dti, Prea Ramdhuny indicated that the operation was aimed at reducing the socio-economic and other factors of alcohol abuse to curb the impact of contact crimes resulting from liquor and to enforce compliance of the Liquor Act 59 of 2003.
It was also intended to address the increasing number of unlicensed traders who do not adhere to the conditions as required by law.

Story: RC Myburgh
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