The Legal Liquor Battle, Far from Over

GLF COLUMN

Fighting the system with dignity and honesty as legal liquor traders THE LEGAL LIQUOR BATTLE, FAR FROM OVER

When the late MEC of Economic Development, Nkosiphendule Kholisile, made regulations that shebeen permits would be converted to licences, we thought the lives of traders would be changed for the better. But, unfortunately, we did not know it was the beginning of one of the nightmares that we had experienced during the apartheid era – harassment by men and women in blue!

Recently, in Thokoza, two legitimate traders with valid trading documents were raided and their liquor stock confiscated, because Lt Col. Rautenbach felt that their documents did not suit his understanding and knowledge. One of the outlet owners tried to plead with him to at least be given time to consult with the liquor board to clarify the misunderstanding, but her pleas were ignored and all her liquor was confiscated.

The Gauteng Liquor Board was consulted to talk to Lt Col. Rautenbach to return the liquor, but he defied it. The prosecutor at Palmridge court nullified the raid as unlawful, but he still did not return the liquor stock. As the associations around the region, we have agreed that we need to turn to the courts to be heard, because we feel that all the harassment is unlawful and unconstitutional.

On the other hand, traders are caught between two governmental institutions – the Gauteng Liquor Board and the municipalities’ town planning departments. One issues a legal document to trade, and the other says it’s illegal to trade on our land without their permission. All these things affect liquor traders physically and emotionally. We have spoken to all these departments, and we still did not get help. Our last option is to turn to the judicial system. As the rightful citizens of this country, surely we deserve better from our own government? As traders, we contribute to the economy of this country. Moreover, the MEC, Lebogang Maile, made a call of Qondis’ Ishishini Lakho, and that is exactly what we are trying to do to comply with all that is required from us. Perhaps, in the next edition, we will be speaking about something better, if things go according to plan. The struggle continues, and we will fight this system like we fought the apartheid system with fewer resources. We only need to continue to fight with dignity and honesty as entrepreneurs who are legal liquor traders. Phambili with responsible trading.

Phambili! Bongani Mabuza

Bongani Mabuza, Chairperson: Gauliba, Katlehong