ALCOHOL TRADING TIMES CHANGED THIS FESTIVE SEASON

LIQUOR traders are unhappy about potentially closing earlier than usual during the festive season.

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This comes after Limpopo's deputy provincial police commissioner, Major-General Jan Scheepers, proposed reinstating an alcohol curfew to tackle high crime rates during the holiday period.

He also proposed that licenced venues should close at midnight instead of 2am or 4am and suggested stricter noise control measures.

In a TV interview, Scheepers emphasised a need for stricter regulations to ensure public safety.

"This is because alcohol is the leading contributor to various crimes in Limpopo. Rapes, assaults, murders, domestic violence, child abuse, road fatalities, and attempted murder cases are frequently linked to alcohol consumption, in and outside licenced venues. We've seen a trend that come December and January, we have a lot of funerals because people are not drinking responsibly," he said.

The proposal didn’t sit well with some tavern-owners, who said they're punished every time crime and road accidents rise.

Harry Makoti, of Fyfy Liquor Restaurant, said this is unfair, as the festive season is their only profitable period.

"Most of those committing crimes and involved in car accidents are outsiders visiting our province. The proposed curfew will impact our businesses greatly because many people buy more alcohol at night," he said.

"Boozers will still buy alcohol during the day and then find spots to drink after we close at midnight. We only have to encourage boozers to drink responsibly," he said.

However, Quiden Mathebula, of Samma’s Liquor Tavern, said he won’t be affected by the curfew.

"I usually close earlier because of my target market. Our liquor licences say our trading hours are from 10am to 2am. So, if the proposal passes, they should allow taverns to open at 8am to compensate for the lost two hours between 12am and 2am," he said.

The proposal follows Transport and Community Safety MEC Violet Mathye’s urging for liquor outlet owners to avoid selling alcohol to unaccompanied pedestrians and arrange transport for drunken patrons to their destinations.