New liquor laws laid bare to forum
Licenses and certificates must be available on request.
LOCAL liquor outlet owners were apprised of new regulations and their responsibilities at the annual Brighton Beach SAPS liquor forum meeting in June.
“The aim of the meeting was to inform registered liquor outlets of the new prescripts with regards to annual reregistration and amendments to conditions of various category licenses,” said Brighton Beach SAPS communications officer, Captain Louise Le Roux.
According to Capt Le Roux, eThekwini KZN Liquor Board inspector, Penny Cele plans to continue inspections, monitor compliance and investigate complaints in partnership with Brighton Beach SAPS liquor officer, Warrant Officer Theo Van Noordwyk.
eThekwini business licensing department’s Colin Naidoo spoke about the annual renewals of businesses trading licenses which must be on display with the liquor license and he added that all fire and health certificates must be available on request.
W/O Van Noordwyk addressed the gathering and offered the following guidelines and requirements:
- Customers are not allowed to open and drink purchases in a liquor store and patrons of club or bars are not allowed to leave the premises with open drinks.
- Adequate security measures must be in place to ensure the safety of customers and patrons.
- Liquor outlets must also have a ‘Right of Admission Policy’ in place, which includes the banning of problematic customers.
- The selling of liquor to a person who is already drunk is not permitted.
- The liquor licence must be on display at all times.
- Night clubs must ensure they comply with sound restrictions.
- Slot machines in liquor outlets must be registered and the business’ gaming licence must be displayed at all times.
- Liquor sales on a Sunday, even at hotels, can only be from 10am.
- Night clubs can’t sell liquor after 4am.
- If a condition of the liquor licence is that food is served on the premises, the kitchen must be fully functional during the operating times as stipulated on the license.
- Failure to comply with the conditions of a liquor licence will result in a fine being issued, and if found guilty after a hearing by the Liquor Board, the license to trade will be withdrawn.
- Owners are responsible for what happens inside and up to five metres outside their business premises.
Brighton Beach SAPS management thanks W/O Van Noorwyk for co-ordinating the event, representatives from liquor outlets for attendance and guest speakers, Penny Cele, Colin Naidoo and T Mthembu.
