The changes in the Limpopo Liquor Act have caused a massive public outcry. On one side, owners of nightclubs as well as artists have slammed the new regulations, saying that the shorter drinking hours at night would affect them negatively. On the other side, religious groups as well as organisations dealing with domestic violence have criticised the changes, saying that the allowance for bottle stores to be open on Sundays would add to the problem of alcohol abuse.
The new Limpopo Liquor Act, which becomes effective on 1 August, was punted as a means to curb domestic violence, child abuse, trauma, and even rape. The MEC for Economic Development, Environment, and Tourism (LEDET), Rodgers Monama, said that alcohol abuse was the main cause of many of the social evils communities had to deal with.
Monama said his department needed to play a critical role in reducing alcohol abuse and supporting moderate home drinking as opposed to unsafe nightlife. "It is through [the new legislation] that the department will see liquor outlets which our people usually refer to as night clubs, taverns, shebeens, liquor restaurants, etc., being brought to a standstill by midnight during all operating days," he said.
The new legislation allows licensed bottle stores, grocers, and wine farms to sell liquor between 09:00 and 20:00 from Mondays to Saturdays. On Sundays, they may sell liquor for "off-consumption" between 09:00 and 17:00. Previously, off-consumption sales were not allowed on Sundays.
Places such as licensed clubs and restaurants may sell liquor every day from 10:00 until midnight. Previously, these institutions were allowed to sell liquor until 02:00 in the morning.
"Sunday is the Lord's day and a day that should be focused on God. We believe that people should spend a lot of time in prayer on Sundays, seeking God. Now, when liquor stores open on Sundays, people are not going to spend their time where God wants them to be. We must remember that liquor was prohibited on a Sunday as an expression of Christian aversion to alcohol consumption on the Sabbath," said Rev Jabulane Monegi, a pastor at the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Shayandima.
The religious leaders Limpopo Mirror spoke to all said they were not aware of these legislative changes, and that their input had not been requested. Pastor Azwitamisi Nenungwi, a pastor of the Mountain of Blessing church based in Ha-Lambani village, said that no consultation had taken place. He is also a member of the Vhembe Pastors Forum and said they would first sit as a forum and discuss how they could respond.
The director of the Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme (TVEP), Mr Fhatuwani Manthada, said that they did not believe the changes to the legislation would alleviate the problems they were dealing with every day. He said that the availability of liquor on Sundays might add to the problems. "As an organization, we suggest that the liquor board revisit this decision," he said.
The spokesperson for LEDET, Mr Zaid Kalla, denied that no consultation process had been followed prior to the legislation's being passed. "The department held public consultation sessions as well as public hearings … This was a time for all stakeholders to voice their opinions. Church leaders were included, and no stakeholders or church leaders opposed the regulations," said Kalla.
The new legislation also elicited an outcry from performing artists. The Limpopo Artist Movement vowed to march in protest against the regulation. They planned on meeting with the MEC on Wednesday (26th) to request that the implementation of the new regulations be stopped.
Mr Sipho Mashabela, the movement's spokesperson, said they strongly opposed the new regulations which, according to them, would take them back to the Covid-19 period, where they were unable to make a living.
"Our artists get money when performing at festivals, taverns, and shebeens, and the act will negatively impact them," he said. Mashabela said that the summer season was around the corner, which meant that artists performed later at night. He reckons the reduced hours for selling liquor will mean that fewer opportunities will arise for artists to perform.