SEBOKENG.- A new liquor traders association, Monyetla Liquor Traders Association (MOLTA), was recently formed.

The founders said that the association was formed due to the prevailing ‘economic segregation’ within the liquor industry, which has a negative impact socially in Gauteng and ultimately in the Sedibeng region.

The following Executive members are the officials of MOLTA: Olga Mantoa Mokhethi (Chairlady), Kennedy Mohalane (Treasure), Ernest Nkopane (Spokesperson), and directors of the Association.

Mokhethi said that additional members are their office bearers, and together they aim to serve and protect the interests of all their members.

“We’ve formed this liquor trader’s association to challenge and change the unjust policies within the industry with the sole aim of providing a remedy as we redress undesirable conduct by the stakeholders involved, such as the National Liquor Authority, Gauteng Liquor Board and all affected service providers.”

MOLTA is an association registered as an independent legal entity, which operates within Sedibeng Region with no reservation to expand throughout the country. The establishment was informed by the support of Build One South Africa (BOSA) in Sedibeng under the leadership of Ernest Botiki Nkopane, after calling a successful and well-attended Liquor Traders Imbizo in November 2023.

“MOLTA – being a fairly new association, we can confirm massive membership joining support of over 300 members to date and we continue to grow daily. Our mandate resonates with the evidence of hardships faced by the local liquor traders in our townships when they are being forced to suffer abuse and harassment from law enforcement agencies and the Gauteng Liquor Board.”

Mokhethi further said that on the same note, they further wish to mention that no persons will be allowed to trade if there are no previously authorised permits/licenses at all.

“This mandate only protects those who have permits/licenses issued from 2002 to Date under their parents and are straggling to lodge transfer applications/renewal applications for compliance and approval from the Gauteng Liquor Board to continue with inherited liquor business due to unjust pieces of legislation.”