The Independent Retail and Liquor Distributors have criticised the new stringent liquor regulations in the Eastern Cape, claiming that the Liquor Board is unfairly targeting taverns.
The regulations, which took effect on March 1, 2025, aim to enhance compliance and ensure responsible liquor trading in the province. They are designed to establish a more organised system for licensing, oversight, and enforcement of liquor retail sales.
Under the new regulations, individuals seeking a liquor license must obtain municipal zoning certificates and submit premises certification. Additionally, liquor outlets are now required to implement mandatory age verification measures to prevent underage drinking, among other stipulations.
The Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) also announced an increase in licensing fees, marking the first adjustment in over a decade.
These new regulations come several years after the tragic Enyobeni Tavern incident in East London, where 21 youths, aged 13 to 21, lost their lives. The tragedy underscored the serious issue of underage drinking in the province, prompting civil organisations and concerned citizens to call for stricter liquor regulations.
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Mfanelo Skwatsha, executive director of the Independent Retail and Liquor Distributors, criticised the new regulations, arguing that they were implemented through a flawed process.
"The process was flawed—if there was any process to begin with—because some of us only became aware of the regulations on the eve of their implementation. We believe there were no proper notices issued to liquor traders, who are directly affected, or to the public," Skwatsha told Newzroom Afrika.
He accused the Department of Economic Development and the Liquor Board of exploiting uneducated tavern owners, arguing that the new fee structure disproportionately impacts them.
"If you look at the fee structure, there is a license called an ‘on-consumption’ licence, which is a restaurant license. We also note that restaurants are mostly run by white people. Previously, this license cost R3000, but now it has been reduced to to R2,500.
"There is also a license that is called off-consumption which is a bottle store, again 99% of those businesses are run by white people and are profitable now the license for a bottle store now is R3,500
"Meanwhile, a tavern license which is often for small, informal businesses that are not highly profitable—has been set at R5000. This suggests an anti-poor, anti-black people," he added.
Eastern Cape Liquor Board spokesperson Mgwebi Msiya emphasised the need to address issues related to alcohol abuse and non-compliance.
"We really need to deal with the challenges arising from reckless alcohol use and non-compliance. For us, this is the time to take action. More importantly, we need to bring everyone on board to find solutions to the problem," he told the SABC.
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