Cape Town - The township liquor traders in the metro have accused the provincial government of excluding them from participating in the economy through its “racist, unjust and unfair liquor laws”.
The traders, supported by their patrons, took to the Provincial Legislature and national Parliament on Wednesday demanding the two spheres of government remedy the laws which they said were promulgated to shut down black and coloured liquor businesses in favour of white businesses in their areas.
The march also follows the issuing of Section 64 notices by the Western Cape Liquor Authority to 116 licensed premises where the liquor licence did not qualify for automatic renewal and the licensees were required to apply for the renewal of the licence.
These licences had been the subject of a report about a failure to comply with the conditions of their licence and the provisions of Section 64 of the Western Cape Liquor Act.
The traders are demanding the scrapping of the Western Cape Liquor Act 4 of 2008 as they said it discriminated against historical disadvantage people. They also demanded liquor traders, who had their licence before April 2012, be granted a permanent departure as their licence were granted without zoning as the law did not require it.
They called for consistent trading hours throughout the province and the recognition of black and coloured liquor traders as SMMEs, arguing that their businesses employed people.
Western Cape Liquor Organisation interim secretary Thulani Pike said they wanted the transformation of the traders in the city, instead of them being criminalised.
Pike said holding a trading licence was an economical tool and that the province must return the Western Cape Liquor Authority from Community Safety to the Department of Economic Opportunities.
Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Reagen Allen said the provincial government was not seeking to be a stumbling block to any liquor outlet.
Allen said these outlets played a crucial role in the province’s economy and job creation. He, however, stressed the importance of safety and compliance, which he said helps businesses run smoother and creates a safer environment for residents.
Allen confirmed of the 116 liquor traders who were served with Section 64s, 105 made submissions for renewal. He said this showed the majority of liquor traders wanted to be compliant and operate within the regulatory environment.
He said: “Any liquor trader that seeks to operate outside the regulatory framework will regrettably have to face the full might of the law.
“Compliance helps ensure that further and avoidable acts of lawlessness are avoided.”