Councillors’ purported anti-liquor stance was tested on Monday when two unusual licence applications were tabled.

Subcouncil 17 has long said that it does not support liquor licence applications in residential areas, but on Monday 20 April, it approved one application, which was an appeal against the same subcouncil’s prior refusal in October last year — despite the Community Police Forum (CPF) highlighting intimidation tactics by the applicant — and declined another, even though it had only one objection against it.

Both applications for extensions to trading hours were for OK Liquor outlets in different parts of Strandfontein.

Allegations of intimidation

Sandy Schuter, the Strandfontein CPF chair, told the meeting that residents were reluctant to submit formal comments against the application by OK in Blackberry Mall, Blou Dakke, due to fear of intimidation.

Speaking during the public participation section, Schuter said she had consulted with the residents’ association, religious groups, nearby businesses and neighbourhood watches about the applications.

“There’s been a bit of reluctance from the community, including the religious fraternity, to complete the form that either objects or accepts the application for extended hours,” she said.

She said this reluctance stemmed from a previous application where an applicant had allegedly sent intimidating voice notes to her and the ward councillor, threatening to expose them on social media for opposing the extension.

“He said we are responsible for five people not being able to work because we didn’t agree to the extended hours,” she said.

Applicant sought objector details

Schuter said the applicant had also demanded contact details of people who had objected, causing fear among community members and religious organisations.

“The people that objected initially now felt that the information might be leaked to this applicant and they might face messages or maybe a visit by him personally,” she said.

She had reported the messages to the liquor department and questioned how her personal information had been leaked to the applicant.

However, all such details become part of the public record once tabled at subcouncil.

Schuter said crime was one of the main reasons the CPF did not support liquor licenses in some areas. She said in that area, 90% of violent crime over recent weekends were alcohol-related, with police cells full due to alcohol abuse.

“We have to constantly call law enforcement to address anti-social behaviour — urinating, drug trading. Even the neighbourhood watch had to be visible there,” she said.

Applications rejected

The subcouncil turned down the extension applications for the OK Liquor outlet at the mall on the corner of Spine and Birkenhead roads, Bayview.

Ward councillor and subcouncil chair, Elton Jansen, rejected both applications for that outlet, one for after-hours on Saturdays and another for after-hours on Sundays, after receiving only one objection.

“I must deal with what I have in front of me. There was an objection from a member of the public for the extension of liquor hours for both Saturday and Sunday. Therefore I need to consider that objection,” he said.

Other applications approved

However, he approved similar applications for the OK in Blou Dakke after receiving strong community support through petitions. The chairperson noted almost 100 people had signed petitions and written individual letters supporting the applications, spanning multiple pages with names, addresses and contact numbers.

“Sadly, we must support this application based on people who put their names on paper,” Jansen said. Several councillors, however, declined their support for the application.

According to the official documents, the same objector had objected to the applications by both branches on the same grounds but in the first case it was sufficient for the subcouncil to refuse and in the second it was not.

The objector stated that her reasons for opposing were that the store attracts beggars and creates parking chaos, since there are not enough bays.

“Patrons park in disabled bays, they play loud music and are loud themselves,” she said.

The objector added that children from the informal settlement beg in the area when the liquor store is open and that the area has inadequate security.

“Previously, they had no security guard, now they often have one outside. However, the patrons arrive drunk and overpower him.”

Manager responds

The manager of the OK Liquor shop in Blou Dakke, Strandfontein, has strongly rejected claims that he or anyone linked to the business intimidated community members, saying he has voice notes and written messages that contradict the accusations.

His comments follows statements made by Community Police Forum chair Sandy Schuter at a subcouncil meeting last month. The subcouncil had been discussing the store’s application for extended trading hours, which had one letter of opposition but dozens of letters and a petition in support of the application from local residents.

Petition was driven by customers

The manager, Janique Olivier, said the petition supporting extended trading hours was started at the request of customers, many of whom walk to the store.

“We simply facilitated a process for those who wished to support the application. At no point was anyone pressured or prevented from opposing it, and community members were always free to express their views.”

He also rejected claims that he demanded the personal contact details of those who opposed the application.

“I have never made such a demand, and I challenge that any proof of such a claim be produced.
What I did request — on several occasions — was access to official meeting minutes relating to decisions that directly affect my business and the surrounding community. These requests were not accommodated.”

Drop in sales led to job losses

The OK Liquor shop in Blou Dakke has operated in the area for around 15 years without any legal issues, he said. Olivier said the loss of extended and Sunday trading hours caused a large drop in sales and led to job losses among staff, most of whom live in Strandfontein.

Safety steps and law enforcement ties

He said the business has worked with law enforcement to address public drinking and loitering in the area. The store also installed extra lighting at its own cost to make customers feel safer at night.

He added that problems such as noise, loitering, and public misconduct are not caused solely by his store and need consistent policing to resolve.

Commitment to the community

Olivier said the business has supported local initiatives and maintained good ties with community groups over the years.

“Our intention has always been to operate a responsible business that contributes positively to the local economy and community. We remain committed to that,” he said.

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