Nearly 3 000 litres of alcohol were destroyed at the City’s Ndabeni Pound this week, offering a snapshot of the scale of public drinking enforcement faced by Cape Town authorities as the festive season gains momentum.
Figures released by the municipality show that, in just the first 11 days of December, enforcement officers confiscated 1 814 units of alcohol.
This amounted to just under 740 litres already deposited at the liquor pound, weeks before peak holiday activity typically begins.
From the City’s perspective, these early numbers point to a pattern that repeats itself annually. Speaking on the issue, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith said the volumes highlight the scale of the problem faced each festive season.
‘It’s a clear indication, once more, of what we are faced with each and every year,’ Smith said. ‘These totals will balloon over the coming weeks, and next year, we’ll dispose of it all.’
The City’s stance is rooted in concerns around public safety rather than revenue, municipal officials emphasised. Smith noted that while alcohol destruction often attracts criticism, the harm linked to irresponsible drinking receives far less attention.
‘The City takes a lot of flak for the alcohol destruction, but the outrage around the destruction that irresponsible alcohol use causes is far more muted,’ he highlighted.
According to the safety and security portfolio, limiting alcohol consumption in public spaces can play a role in reducing interpersonal violence, drownings, road accidents and pressure on trauma centres and enforcement services.
City regulations are clear on the matter, as the coastal by-law prohibits alcohol on beaches and in certain public spaces, with signage displayed at beaches and public amenities to inform visitors of the rules.
Those found in possession of alcohol, or consuming it in prohibited public areas, face confiscation in line with the City’s impoundment policy.
A fine of R500 is issued, and alcohol can be reclaimed upon payment of the fine and an additional impoundment release fee of R835, according to the City of Cape Town.
Municipal policy also outlines how unclaimed alcohol is handled. Officials explain that destruction remains the preferred option after legal advice raised concerns about selling impounded liquor, including licensing requirements and the risk of creating a perception that confiscations are profit-driven.
With the busiest weeks of the holiday period still ahead, City leadership has renewed its call for responsible behaviour in shared spaces.
As outlined by the safety and security department, leaving alcohol at home can help reduce avoidable incidents and ease pressure on frontline services.
‘As we head into the peak festive season, I appeal once more to the public to leave the alcohol at home and to keep our public spaces alcohol-free, for their own safety, but also that of others,’ Smith stated.
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