A tavern owner from Vryheid has found himself in a nasty bit of trouble, following government officials clamping down on him and other tavern owners for flouting the COVID-19 regulations.
MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube explains, compliance inspectors from the KZN Liquor Authority, together with law enforcement agencies—conducted unannounced visits this past weekend, going to 9 licensed premises in various parts of KZN.
The visit to Monate Tavern in Vryheid resulted in the owner being fined R5000 for trading during the early hours of Sunday morning.
MEC Dube-Ncube stated, “In line with the laws of the country, the owner of Monate Tavern will be served with a notice of suspension of the liquor licence by the KZN Liquor Authority. He is required to make a representation within 14 days.”
Additionally, compliance officers and law enforcement agencies charged and fined a further eight liquor licence holders for selling takeaways in contravention of the Disaster Management Act.
Stressing the importance of compliance, MEC Dube-Ncube says, “As I stated last week, where any licence holder is found to have violated any of the provisions contained in the regulations or the sale of liquor in terms of the KZN Liquor Licensing Act, the KZN liquor authority will recommend the suspension of the license until the end of lockdown or for three months.”
As the KZN Liquor Authority focuses on bringing offenders to book the MEC explains their records show that over the past four months, more than 2000 liquor traders across the province have been visited during business inspections, which look at compliance and enforcement.
Additionally, she says her department has expressed concern since the country moved to Level 1. This follows the department’s compliance inspectors discovering six fraudulent liquor licenses and surprisingly, fraudulent confirmations of payment receipts which were found in fully operational liquor outlets.
The fraudulent licences have been discovered in the following areas listed below, and unfortunately, the Amajuba District does not escape the list:
- Ematsheni, Uthukela District
- Osizweni, Amajuba District
- Newlands East, eThekwini District
- Umhlanga, eThekwini District
- Umlazi township, eThekwini District (x 2)
With these taverns being brought to book and appropriate steps being taken against the owners, the MEC states her department remains concerned about the number of fraudulent licences mushrooming.
She adds, “It is for these reasons that our entity, the KZN Liquor Authority, has appointed a Forensic Investigator to probe these cases and liaise with law enforcement authorities. We are confident that the main culprits involved in this racket will be punished severely. This will serve as a lesson to aspiring fraudsters and dubious liquor traders.”
What action do you feel should be taken against tavern owners who are guilty of breaking the COVID-19 restrictions?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
Author: Quinton Boucher
Edited: Calvin Swemmer
