Question NW737 to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
25 May 2020 - NW737
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
Whether, with reference to the State of the Nation Address on 7 February 2019 in which the President of the Republic, Mr MC Ramaphosa, stated that all taverns, shebeens and liquor outlets near school premises must be shut down, any of the specified outlets near school premises have been shut down; if not, why not; if so, what number of the specified outlets (a) have been closed since the specified pronouncement and (b) within 500 meters of a school and/or educational institution are not yet shut down?
Reply:
The Department does not currently collect data on the location of taverns, shebeens and liquor outlets, as the regulation of such entities is the responsibility of provincial authorities.
The macro manufacturing and distribution of liquor in terms of the Liquor Act, 2003 (Act No. 59 of 2003) is regulated by the dtic; whereas the Provincial Liquor Boards are mandated to regulate the micro manufacturing and retail liquor sector in terms of their specified legislation. In terms of the relevant legislation the responsibility of closing down taverns, shebeens and liquor outlets is the responsibility of Provincial Liquor Boards.
Having given the matter consideration, I have now requested the Department to contact the provincial regulators and ask for information to be compiled on the matter and for the Department to provide me with advice regarding further steps that national government may need to take in light of such information.
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