Liquor traders are being challenged to play their part in improving safety in and around their establishments following a string of deadly crimes.
The call from the Liquor Traders Association comes in the wake of yet another mass shooting, this time at a tavern in Carletonville, where at least 17 people were killed and 15 others injured.
Kgaogelo Magolego was at the scene, where Liquor Traders Association spokesperson Lucky Ntimane addressed journalists.
Recent crime statistics show that some of the most violent crimes occur in areas surrounding drinking establishments, prompting Ntimane to challenge liquor traders to take greater responsibility for safety and compliance.
“As we know, the issue of resourcing within the liquor board cannot cover each and every outlet within the province of Gauteng. We then have to depend on the proprietors to ensure that they do their part in ensuring that they comply with all the regulations that govern the selling of liquor,” said Ntimane.
Among the non-compliant practices identified in the liquor industry are the sale of alcohol and related products to minors, a lack of crowd-control measures, and failure to address known criminal activities taking place in and around establishments, including illegal gambling and the sale of drugs.
Ntimane expressed concern that drinking establishments had increasingly become crime scenes.
“We are worried that, you know, if you look at the past shootings, they have taken place in our places of trade. So, this actually poses an existential threat to our existence as liquor traders.
“We are now worried that, you know, should we open our doors, are we then creating another crime scene? Who is coming to help us?
“You know, we see ourselves as part of the community and we recognise that this crime is a spillover of the behaviour that is happening within the communities.
“So, this concerns us as well, that’s why we are here. We work very closely with the SAPS, especially here in Gauteng.”
Meanwhile, police are continuing their manhunt for eight suspects believed to be responsible for the Carletonville shooting.
Police have appealed to members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist in identifying and locating the suspects.