ALMOST two weeks ago, a video was circulated showing revellers in full party mode at an Eastern Cape nightclub.
No masks, no social distancing…but plenty of alcohol flowing with scant regard for Covid-19 or hangovers.
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The city authorities, liquor board and everyone up to cabinet level stamped their feet and expressed outrage at this gross violation of the regulations and promised stern action.
In the end, a fine of R5 000 was issued; a mere slap on the wrist.
They huffed and puffed but hardly blew the house down. I would hardly call that a deterrent and, if I was a non-compliant club owner, I would simply factor in a fine as a cost when planning my next shindig.
That seems to be par for the course when it comes to most things that require compliance: there is no law enforcement to be seen or, if by some small chance laws and bylaws are being monitored and acted on, the penalties would hardly discourage further disobedience.
Ever since the lockdown levels were eased and people could, once again, enjoy the open air and some healthy recreation, out have come the booze bottles – as though the laws about drinking in public had also been relaxed.
So, now we are back to broken bottles at the beaches and pleasure spots, a spike in drunken driving accidents and the hospitals’ emergency wards once again being filled by assault victims.
‘Comparisons are odious’, they say – a phrase that has been around since the 15th century, but the point I want to make is illustrated by liquor laws that prevail in Queensland, Australia.
By the way, although I have visited there a few times, I don’t drink so I am taking a neutral stance…as opposed to those who might not have a leg to stand on.
Officially, here are the stated offences and penalties Down Under for licence holders:
‘Supplying alcohol to an unduly intoxicated person’ – $66 725 (around R734 000); or ‘Allowing the supply of alcohol to an unduly intoxicated person’ – $66 725; or ‘Allowing an unduly intoxicated person to consume alcohol’ – $66 725.
So, that’s the owners and/or managers; what about the waiters/waitrons/waiter people?
In each category, their fine is a mere $10 676, which is about R117 400 for serving a drunk person with more alcohol.
It kind of puts the R5 000 (approx. $455) in East London into sad perspective.
Ain’t no manager going to let a guy stumble out of his Aussie bar or club with car keys in his hand.
That’s what I call putting lives before profits and sending out a clear deterrent message.
And before you ask: I have absolutely no idea what an ‘unduly intoxicated’ person is.
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