Provincial community safety MEC Albert Fritz said there is a clear link between alcohol and violence. However, he said this is no basis for a blanket ban of booze.
“We know there is a significant relationship between alcohol abuse and violent crime such as murder. As demonstrated by the quarterly crime statistics, we saw an increase in murders during the periods when the alcohol ban was lifted in the last quarter of 2020.
“We cannot support the blanket bans placed on the sale of alcohol as these are damaging to the economy. Instead, we must continue with smart interventions such as amendments to the provincial liquor act,” he said.
Fritz said the WCLA inspectors conducted inspections in areas including Hermanus, Mfuleni and Bishop Lavis.
The outcomes of the inspections include:
- investigations of four complaints;
- eight non-compliance reports were submitted; and
- one compliance certificate was issued.