LIQUOR BOARD CONDUCTS MORE INSPECTIONS AT GQEBERHA TAVERNS

BY Yolanda Palezweni

The popular Emalaydini Tavern in Gqeberha scrapped its plans to host socialite Zodwa Wabantu on Saturday just as the Eastern Cape Liquor Board visited it for another surprise inspection.

The board is ramping up tavern blitzes after the Enyobeni Tavern tragedy in East London on June 26 in which 21 young people, most of them children aged 13-17, died.

The board, along with the Metro Police, visited several taverns on Saturday.On Friday last week, the board visited the Emalaydini Tavern in Ezinyoka, near Missionvale, after a poster advertising that Wabantu would make an appearance 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.

On Saturday, the board was back at the tavern, with co-owner Masinga Ndungane cancelling Wabantu’s visit to avoid any more commotion.He was served with another notice of non-compliance as patrons had been seen drinking outside the demarcated area while a DJ played music for them.

Ndungane agreed to remove the speakers, but said he had little control over people drinking on the streets.

But he also agreed to comply with the regulations from the board.

“We are a business and a family trying to make a living,” he said.

We feel we are being targeted as there are many other businesses that are not inspected but are also breaking the laws,” he said.

He said the business was his only source of income and he feared losing his liquor licence.

“Some of the issues we face are beyond our control, but as law-abiding citizens we will do whatever it takes to make sure we do things by the book,” he said.

He said operating in the township was difficult.

“As much as the officials are doing their job, we feel we are being targeted.

“We may not be completely innocent, but we are trying and we would appreciate that the same treatment is given to every tavern,” he said.

“Some taverns here don’t even have licences, but they are not being inspected.

“We don’t have any backup or sponsors and we are just trying to make a living with the little that we have,” he said.Inspectors also visited three taverns in Westering and Kragga Kamma after receiving complaints.

Space Unlimited, Hotspot Bar and Halfway Pub & Grub were served with notices of non-compliance for noise and patrons drinking outside the premises.

Board spokesperson Mgwebi Msiya said the inspections were being done to avoid another Enyobeni tragedy.

Inspections would be done weekly.

“We have launched this initiative to intensify compliance,” he said.

“We are not targeting anyone, but trying to monitor and make sure all businesses are obeying the regulations.”

He said the unannounced visits would be rolled out across the province.

“We are receiving complaints about these outlets and we are following up.

“We are not only targeting Emalaydini, but all they need to do is comply.

“They can even inform us of any other outlets and we will follow up,” he said.