Staff Reporter.
The Limpopo High Court has postponed the hearing regarding an interdict for the Limpopo Liquor Act filed by the liquor traders associations to August 18, 2023.
The postponement follows the filing of additional documents to the original court interdict by the Sekhukhune Liquor Traders Association (SKLTA).
Citing reasons for the implementation of the Act, the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Ledet) MEC said the consumption of liquor has proved to be a causative factor in terms of community instability, and violence and abuse in homes across the province.
Among other regulations, the Act will dissolve parts of the national Liquor Act of 1989, which permits the sale of liquor up to 02:00 weekly by shortening this period to 00:00. In addition, licence fee renewals will cost traders R750 instead of the current R100.
Outside court, the Limpopo Artists Movement and liquor traders associations were picketing, asking for the Act to be repealed.
“We want to suspend the Liquor Act in its current form, the time as well as the license renewal fee that it cannot move from R100 to R750 without any justification, “said Lucky Ntimane, who speaks for the National Liquor Traders Association.
“So, when you leave here today, go back to your taverns, go back to your establishments, make sure you trade ’till 2am.”
But the department’s spokesperson Zaid Kalla said the Act remains in place.
“The Act, or the law, has been in place since 1 August, and it will continue to be in place. We urge all our license holders to please abide by the law.”
EFF provincial chairperson Tshilidzi Maraga said they have joined the interdict application as they believe the Act will only increase unemployment.
“This thing is bringing a huge unemployment rate, so we cannot allow the capitalist to do that. We want to support the black child, we want to support the black African, we are going to fight.”
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.