Limpopo liquor traders are breathing a sigh of relief as the midnight trading curfew has been lifted pending a final judgment on the matter.
Judgment was reserved at the Polokwane High Court on Friday as the case, which was brought by the Sikhukhune Liquor Traders Association (SLTA) against the provincial department of economic development, was postponed to next week.
SLTA, which is supported in the application by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the province, has reached out to the court to challenge the new liquor act, introduced by the provincial government on August 1, prohibiting the sale of alcohol by outlets after midnight.
The association, which is made of tavern, pub and club owners in areas within and around Sikhukhune district, asked the court to return the normal trading hours for beer sales in the province.
They allege that the department did not follow its own due processes to introduce the new act as the association, following a public indaba and the new act being published in the government gazette for public comments, made its own submissions opposing the law, which were disregarded.
“It came as a shock when in recent times, as at the 22nd of July 2023, we observed from social media and radio broadcasts that a decision to implement the proposed regulations is taken and the date of the 1st of August 2023 is intended to be the date for the implementation and operation of the impugned regulations, which means they will take effect and have a force of law.”
Limpopo artists, who have complained that they have been affected by this new act because their night time bookings are getting cut, have vowed to continue picketing outside court until the matter is resolved.
Limpopo Artists Movement (LAM) chairperson Mphoza Mashabela said the arts fraternity was hopeful that the judgment would come in its favour.
“We have joined forces with EFF and Sikhukhune Liquor traders. It is a peaceful picketing. We are very happy with the court processes. We are sure that the magistrate will reverse this new legislation because it is clear that the department never made public engagements beforehand,” he said.
He added: “This new law is affecting our numbers and it is going to kill our industry. It is summer now. If you can check, there are many events that are coming. This new legislature is going to affect us. Why is this being done in Limpopo only?”
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