The Eastern Cape Liquor Board is to continue with its crackdown on taverns in Nelson Mandela Bay after carrying out several surprise inspections on Friday.
The inspections were triggered by the Enyobeni Tavern tragedy in East London on June 26 in which 21 young people, the majority children aged between 13 and 17, died.
The board, along with police, visited four taverns in the northern areas on Friday — and all the establishments were found to be complaint with regulations.
On Friday last week, the board visited Emalaydini Tavern in Ezinyoka, near Missionvale, after a poster advertising that socialite Zodwa Wabantu would make an appearance today trended on social media.
The tavern was forced to close its doors after a 17-year-old was found selling alcohol on the premises and tables were placed outside demarcated areas.
There was also no visible liquor licence on the premises.
Board spokesperson Mgwebi Msiya said on Friday the agency was on a mission to ensure liquor traders complied with regulations.
“We are concerned about the increasing rate of non-compliance among a number of liquor traders, including Emalaydini, which is not the only one in Gqeberha.
“There are a number of them,” he said.
He said more surprise inspections could be expected to check whether taverns were clean and legally compliant.
“The biggest concern is the failure to close on time and selling liquor to underage people.
“We want to make sure that what happened at Enyobeni is not repeated anywhere in the province,” Msiya said.
Friday’s inspections were carried out after talks involving northern areas tavern owners, the board, police and the National Prosecuting Authority.
During the discussions held at City Hall earlier in the day, a number of concerns were raised, including a “broken” relationship between police and the traders, and unruly teenagers who used adults to buy alcohol for them.
The tavern owners claimed they were blamed for all the wrongs in the community and were held responsible for what happened outside their premises.
The owner of the Pidpoit tavern in Kleinskool, Nathan Karelse, said there had been instances where he would see pupils drinking alcohol in uniform in the streets, but when he confronted them they would swear at him.
“We are faced with many issues and the police don’t want to listen to us.
“We live in dangerous places, but when we do come forward with crime tips, nothing is done,” Karelse said.
He said it was difficult to get a liquor licence and keep it because of all the challenges in the northern areas.
“We are not selling alcohol for fun. This is the bread and butter for our families.
“We need support from our police and the board,” he said.
He urged the police to intervene, and work closely with traders to monitor what happened outside the taverns.
Bethelsdorp police station commander Brigadier Zolani Xawuka encouraged the traders to keep working with the police and said a WhatsApp group would be created to improve communication.
“Traders must comply though with the opening and closing times.”
He said monthly meetings would take place to avoid another Enyobeni tragedy.
Colonel Errol Francis, who also works at the Bethelsdorp police station, admitted that crime outside taverns was a challenge.
“We request tavern owners to take responsibility and not allow anyone to drink outside the premises.
“Many of the outlets do not have bouncers and people walk in and out with dangerous weapons,” he said.
The metro’s economic development, tourism and agriculture political head, Khusta Jack, encouraged the traders to strive to ensure their businesses were clean and safe.
HeraldLIVE