KZN sees climb in number of fraudulent liquor licences
Economic Development and Tourism's concerned about the growing number of fraudulent liquor licenses in KwaZulu-Natal.
Liquor authority officials and other law enforcement agencies dropped in unannounced at various businesses, this past weekend.
The department's Ndabezinhle Sibiya says since the country's move to lockdown Level 1; companies were found operating with fraudulent licences in Ematsheni, Osizweni, Umlazi, Newlands East and Umhlanga.
"Where any licence holder is found to have violated any of the provisions contained in the regulations or the sale of liquor in terms of the KZN Liquor Licensing Act, the KZN liquor authority will recommend the suspension of the license until the end of lockdown or for three months."
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Sibiya says a tavern owner was caught selling takeaways, apparently in the early hours of the morning, ignoring the curfew and COVID-19 safety regulations.
"Monate Tavern in Vryheid has been fined R5 000 for trading in the wee hours of Sunday morning. In line with the laws of the country, the owner of Monate Tavern will be served with a notice of suspension of the liquor licence by the KZN Liquor Authority. He is required to make a representation within 14 days."
"In addition, compliance officers and law enforcement agencies charged and fined about 8 liquor licence holders for selling takeaways in contravention of the Disaster Management Act."
