While the misuse and abuse of alcohol remains a concern, the City of Cape Town (CoCT) revealed that it has heard 16 liquor license appeals for an extension of trading hours in one week alone.
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Businesses including Saint Champagne Bar and Lounge in Zonnebloem, Superspar and Tops Rosmead in Kenilworth, Checkers in Muizenberg, Shoprite Liquor at Maynard Mall in Wynberg and Shoprite Liquor in Fish Hoek have applied for extended trading hours despite strong objections from local communities pertaining to safety issues.
“Applications for extended liquor trading hours are considered in terms of the attached by-law and or any other related issues to reduce alcohol-related harms or incidents on a specific application,” Neil Meissenheimer, the executive committee officer told IOL. “Each application is considered on its own merit and 16 applications have been considered this year.”
The liquor licence renewal period runs until 30 March.
The City by-laws regarding the sale of alcohol currently requires licence renewal and applications for extended hours be submitted annually. On-consumption premises sales are permitted until 4am the next day, while off-consumption are until 8pm from Monday to Saturday and 11am to 6pm on Sunday.
“The devastating impact of the misuse and abuse of alcohol can be seen in our accident statistics, domestic violence calls to our Public Emergency Contact Centre and the number of trauma cases at hospitals,” said Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith. “Over weekends there is an increases in these incidents, more so when it is a payday weekend. Nearly every week I have to call for responsible drinking and practically beg motorists not to get behind the wheel drunk.”
“There’s been a call for their family and friends not to let them drive drunk, but the plea for responsible drinking and driving seems to fall on deaf ears all round,” he added.
Speaking to IOL, Wynberg councillor Emile Langenhoven said he was opposed to the extension of liquor trading hours for Shoprite Maynard Mall because of its proximity to the Wynberg Public Transport Interchange and schools.
“The killing of a pedestrian in Wynberg Main Road last year by a drunk taxi driver has highlighted the dangers of alcohol in the Public Transport Interchange precinct. The community is in support of this (his objection),” he said.
“I understand that the alcohol industry suffered a huge blow between 2020 and 2022 with irrational restrictions on liquor sales. I understand that livelihoods are affected by decisions to reduce availability of alcohol. (We) acknowledge the importance of the alcohol industry, particularly in the Western Cape. The economic contribution is, however, dwarfed by the costs of alcohol-related harms and that – along with the other social harms – necessitates a revised policy focus aimed at reducing alcohol-related harms.”
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