Bramley’s nuisance liquor outlets

Tony Smith, a resident, complained about one liquor outlet on the corner of Rauma and Louis Botha avenues, which he said is about 25m away from yet another liquor outlet in Louis Botha Avenue. He also mentioned two other outlets, which he claimed are about 75m away from each other.

Smith added, “These outlets are in close vicinity to schools, a church, and public transport – which is against the Gauteng Liquor Act.”

The Act states, “The liquor board shall grant an application in the case of premises not situated within the radius 500m in the vicinity of a place of worship, educational institution, similar licensed premises and public transport facility.”

Smith said he had complained to police and different authorities like the Gauteng Liquor Board and the City Council, but with no resolution. Smith said, “This is disgusting, we have exhausted all avenues, we are really fed up. They [the liquor outlets] are a nuisance in our area, they [patrons] cause noise all night long and pollute our street and front gardens with empty bottles and used condoms.”

Another resident, Allan Sztaba, said the liquor outlets were destroying their suburb’s peace of mind. Sztaba said, “I was quite disturbed last night when I came home and found a couple having sex in my driveway, and I always find used condoms in my front garden.”

Another frustrated citizen is Bramley Primary School principal Noko Leso, who said the school had signed many petitions to different authorities but nothing has materialised. Leso said, “We are really against the existence of these liquor outlets which are very close to us – this is not healthy for our pupils. They walk past them on their way to school which can seduce them into drinking; it’s not safe for them because the outlets are always very busy.”

North Eastern Tribune contacted the Gauteng Department of Economic Development spokesperson Phindile Kunene, who could not respond in time before going to press. On 4 April, she commented, “We are working on the response.”