Police are concerned about non-complying liquor traders of eMbalenhle.
This was heard during a meeting between the police and liquor traders held at the eMbalenhle Police Station on Thursday, October 21.
Const Busi Mthethwa, spokesperson for the eMbalenhle Police, warned the liquor traders that if they don’t want to comply or adhere to the disaster management act, they will lose their licenses.
“Some of the taverns, night clubs and kitchen spots do not follow the regulations of their licenses, they operate until the next morning.
“The previous weekend, we arrested 36 people during curfew, some of them were from those taverns that are disrespecting the law.
“We will not tolerate non-compliance when we issue fine tickets, it is a warning. Thereafter, we will confiscate the license and close that liquor store or tavern,” said Const Mthethwa.
She also said some of the crimes emanate from those taverns that are open throughout the night.
Const Mthethwa said the police want to build a good working relationship with liquor traders to fight crime that emanates from their businesses.
Liquor traders raised their concerns about foreign nationals that are now running liquor businesses at eMbalenhle.
They said that according to the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator, foreign nationals are not allowed to operate liquor businesses such as taverns.
Const Mthethwa responded by saying some liquor traders are renting their licenses and businesses to foreign nationals.
She said even the police find it difficult to get a license holder to account when crime occurred in that liquor outlet because the police have to take action against the license holder because that person is the one registered at the liquor board.
The law does not allow renting out a liquor license.
She said it is also difficult for police to communicate with those foreigners because of the language barrier.
Const Mthethwa said eMbalenhle alone has 98 sitting taverns where patrons can sit down and drink.
Mr Xolani Mahlangu, eMbalenhle liquor forum chairman, said all liquor traders should update their profile at the police station for the police to be able to identify them.
Mr Mahlangu said owners must stop sending someone else. He said they must go themselves to make the job easier for the police and the forum to stop the renting of liquor licenses to foreign nationals.
Mr Mahlangu said this practice must stop.
“Some of our businesses do not have operating managers and security and they also do not adhere to Covid-19 regulations,” Mr Mahlangu cautioned.
