People who want to report cases of irresponsible liquor trading can now do so freely and anonymously, thanks to a newly launched WhatsApp number.
Launched by the Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB), spokesman Mgwebi Msiya said the board was serious about enforcing compliance with liquor trading conditions.
Cases of irresponsible trading included trading beyond regulated hours, selling to underage youths, visibly intoxicated people or pregnant women, playing loud music, lack of proper security at premises and blocking of driveways by patrons.
“ECLB views reckless trading with a serious light, and intends empowering communities with more platforms to report liquor outlets that are disruptive and flout their trading conditions,” said Msiya.
He said there was also growing concern about the mushrooming of illegal outlets in the province, which contributed to the proliferation of criminal activities and other related social ills in communities.
“Therefore, we seek to create a culture of activism within our communities and promote awareness of their rights in relation to liquor trading in their respective areas.
“Everyone who sells alcohol without a valid liquor licence is contravening the law, and community members are urged to report such occurrences using this WhatsApp number,” Msiya said.
The Eastern Cape Liquor Act required that licence applicants had to serve notice to the ward councillor of the area, who had to convene a community consultation meeting to discuss the application, Msiya said. “Members of the community have the right to object to the application for a liquor outlet in their area if they deem it undesirable based on their reasons,” said Msiya.
The WhatsApp number is 076-403-6223. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
People fed up with irresponsible liquor trading can now report outlets on WhatsApp
Launched by the Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB), spokesman Mgwebi Msiya said the board was serious about enforcing compliance with liquor trading conditions.
Cases of irresponsible trading included trading beyond regulated hours, selling to underage youths, visibly intoxicated people or pregnant women, playing loud music, lack of proper security at premises and blocking of driveways by patrons.
“ECLB views reckless trading with a serious light, and intends empowering communities with more platforms to report liquor outlets that are disruptive and flout their trading conditions,” said Msiya.
He said there was also growing concern about the mushrooming of illegal outlets in the province, which contributed to the proliferation of criminal activities and other related social ills in communities.
“Therefore, we seek to create a culture of activism within our communities and promote awareness of their rights in relation to liquor trading in their respective areas.
“Everyone who sells alcohol without a valid liquor licence is contravening the law, and community members are urged to report such occurrences using this WhatsApp number,” Msiya said.
The Eastern Cape Liquor Act required that licence applicants had to serve notice to the ward councillor of the area, who had to convene a community consultation meeting to discuss the application, Msiya said. “Members of the community have the right to object to the application for a liquor outlet in their area if they deem it undesirable based on their reasons,” said Msiya.
The WhatsApp number is 076-403-6223. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
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