SALTA COLUMN
R O T C E T O R P R U O T O THE GLB IS N les alone
allenges and obstac
ue to face ch Liquor traders contin
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whose aim is to devour poor and We possibly need another Agrizzi here to expose the rot that seems to be taking defenceless permit holders. Sies! place within the liquor industry. More positive engagements and collaborations should rather be The GLB further states that many of happening. the proposed solutions suggested by the liquor associations “relate to the Recently, liquor traders have reported Act.” All members of the public will be a rise in robberies at their places. The afforded an opportunity to make their Hogwash! A number of liquor traders have, submissions when the Act or regulations GLB, SAPS, JMPD and liquor trader associations, together, can form a over the years, applied for licenses without are amended. How many times must formidable team to fight this evil success. The bylaws are a hindrance. The we submit the same proposals over scourge. This is not happening. Why? Gauteng Liquor Board is fully aware of and over again and receive such nonthis. The South African Local Government substantive cop-out responses? How SAPS, in most cases, visit liquor outlets Association (SALGA) is also mentioned. long is this process going to take? for the wrong reasons, mainly to Who should approach SALGA? confiscate liquor – which never reaches The immediate issue right now is the the courts. This needs to stop! Liquor traders have stated before that this extension of shebeen permits or rather apartheid Liquor Act needs to be amended. the response by the GLB to the Yeoville Abe Radebe, provincial executive council member, A political solution is the answer. judgement. SALTA n response to a Memorandum of Grievances from liquor associations, the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB) states that the “current democratic government has done its utmost to correct the past through legislation. The people of Gauteng are now allowed to apply for a liquor license if they so wish.”
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The Act is selectively applied. Some people are able to circumvent bylaws and get licenses when some can’t. Some regions are also able to circumvent while others are unable to do so. Something seems fishy here! Some people or regions are seemingly more equal than others!
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We, as liquor traders, had hoped that the GLB, as a “creature of statute” would be our protector and a proverbial shoulder to cry on as we meander through various obstacles and challenges before us. This, however, seems not to be the case. The GLB instead, seems to be a predator
