City of uMhlathuze tackles public drinking

The uMhlathuze Municipality is clamping down on liquor outlets in a desperate attempt to reduce the cases of public disturbances caused by drunk locals.

Residents, the Community Policing Forum (CPF) and SAPS have had their hands full with a downpour of complaints streaming in regarding the unruly behaviour of drunken people who are abusing public parks and parking lots during weekends and holidays.

Litter, noise and violence are just a few of the hangovers, while consuming alcohol in public remains legal according to the Liquor Act.

Last week, Empangeni CPF responded to a number of reports of gunshots which were apparently fired at the recreational park, next to the rugby club in Baines Road, used by both adults and children.

uMhlathuze Municipality spokesperson Mdu Ncalane said that while the procedure to amend their current by-laws to regulate public alcohol consumption was long, they were currently policing liquor outlets.

‘As much as we understand the issue at hand is problematic, what we are doing as an alternative, through our business licensing unit, is dealing with the liquor outlets and their licensing.

‘If you have a bottle store, the regulation says you must open at 9am and close at 5 or 7pm and that people are not allowed to drink on your premises.

‘If you are a tavern owner, ensure that your customers drink inside. If they are found on your doorstep then we have to close your outlet. If you have a bottle store make sure they buy their alcohol and leave.’

Ncalane said they needed to be harsh on liquor owners to ensure that alcohol was not sold at all times of the night.

‘As another solution, we have a system of cleaning during the night so that all public areas are neat by the morning when residents wake up.’

The spokesperson confirmed that their hands were also tied when it came to enforcing by-laws against public consumption of alcohol.

‘We cannot enforce anything through our bylaw enforcement team because the liquor regulation allows public drinking.

‘We have, however, been writing to the liquor board to have this amended.

‘We have researched with other municipalities on how they are regulating this and what by-laws they have.

‘Now that we have got that information, which we are studying, we will compile a report which will be submitted to the council in the next two to three months.’

Ncalane said that even if the by-law to regulate public consumption of alcohol is passed, it could take about two years to come into effect.

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