The Northern Cape Gambling and Liquor Board (NCGLB), in partnership with the South African Police Service and other key stakeholders, launched the #WeComply Liquor Compliance Campaign in Colesberg recently.

The campaign seeks to promote responsible liquor trading, strengthen compliance among liquor traders and contribute towards the prevention of liquor-related crime across the Northern Cape.

Four key areas of compliance were highlighted during the launch of the campaign:

• adherence to authorised liquor trading hours;
• strict prohibition of the sale or supply of alcohol to persons under the age of 18;
• operating with valid liquor licences and preventing the unlawful leasing or transfer of liquor licences; and
• combating the manufacture, distribution and sale of illicit and counterfeit alcohol.

Colonel Michael Diamond, provincial Firearms, Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Control (Flash) commander, highlighted the link between liquor outlets and contact crimes, particularly incidents occurring after authorised trading hours. Diamond warned that the police would continue to conduct compliance inspections and take decisive action against liquor traders who contravene the law.

Modise Letselebe, CEO of the NCGLB, called on liquor traders to comply fully with the conditions of their liquor licences and warned against operating outside authorised trading hours. He highlighted concerns relating to the manufacture, distribution and sale of illicit and counterfeit alcohol.

Traders were also reminded that the process for liquor licence renewals would commence in October and were encouraged to submit complete applications timeously to avoid unnecessary delays.

In an inspection after the launch, 16 liquor outlets and one gambling establishment were inspected. Three outlets were found to be selling illicit liquor.

Affected liquor was removed from the shelves after it was established that the relevant lot numbers had been cancelled by the Department of Agriculture. The proprietors were cautioned and instructed to discontinue the sale of the affected products.