Question NW2156 to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
21 September 2020 - NW2156
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 737 on 25 May 2020, he received the information requested from the provinces; if not, by what date does he envisage to receive such information; if so, will he furnish Mr. M Waters with the further relevant details? [
Reply:
Following my reply to PQ 737, I requested the Department to contact the provincial regulators and ask for information to advise on further steps that national government may need to take.
Information was received from the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape provinces. I am advised that no information was received as yet from the Free State and Northern Cape.
The provincial liquor regulators form part of the National Liquor Regulators Forum (NLRF), which also consist of the South African Police Services (SAPS). SAPS indicated that in order to address liquor abuse as a contributor to contact crime as well as serious violent crimes, the National Crime Combatting Forum (NCCF) Instruction 2 of 2019 was issued to address the policing of the legal and illegal liquor trade from 01 April 2019 to 31 March 2020.
All provinces were instructed to plan and execute joint liquor control operations to ensure compliance by liquor traders with the provisions of national and provincial liquor legislation, focusing specifically on licensed liquor premises and illegal liquor outlets in close proximity of schools. This focused operational approach ensured the termination of illegal liquor trade at 2 279 unlicensed liquor outlets which were located in close proximity of schools.
With the country now at Level 1 and with the return of full government functions, further steps will be taken to request the outstanding information from the two provinces. The replies from provinces will form the basis for consideration by national government and where challenges were identified (e.g. the need for a clear and empowering legislative framework to enable provinces to take additional action), this is currently under consideration. On completion of these processes, a report will be prepared.
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