Stricter guidelines and harsher punishments with fines of up to R100 000 come July.
The Western Cape government recently amended their Liquor Regulations of 2011, leading to various changes. Applications for an event or temporary liquor licence will now have to be made 39 days before the event, instead the previous 14-day period.
The Western Cape Liquor Authority says the longer period means applications can be taken on review in an appeal process. Previously this was not done. The amended Western Cape Liquor Regulations also provide for late submissions. Should an application be submitted late, the applicant now has to apply for approval of this. This is, however, subject to payment of penalties.
Current licence holders should also make sure they fully comply with the authority’s regulations, as the maximum penalty for non-compliance that the Liquor Licensing Tribunal (LLT) may issue has increased from R20 000 to R100 000.
The amended regulations are available on the website of the Western Cape Liquor Authority (www.wcla.gov.za), or its offices can be contacted on 021 204 9805 or 021 204 9700 or email Liquor.Enquiries@wcla.gov.za.
