Police in Limpopo are considering the reintroduction of a curfew on the sale and distribution of alcohol in an effort to combat rising crime, especially during the festive season. The proposal, which aims to have liquor outlets close by midnight, comes in response to concerns about the relationship between alcohol consumption and increased criminal activity in the province.
Major General Jan Scheepers, the deputy provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, spoke about the success of previous curfew measures, noting that restricting the sale of alcohol to earlier hours had contributed to a noticeable decrease in crime. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Scheepers emphasised that while alcohol itself isn’t the problem, the behaviour that often follows excessive drinking leads to dangerous outcomes:
“We all know that liquor is one of the major contributing factors to crime, and we have seen last year during the curfew, when we forced liquor outlets to close earlier, we saved a lot of lives and also saw a reduction in crime during that time.”
Scheepers acknowledged the role of personal responsibility in preventing crime but also pointed to the responsibility of liquor outlets in ensuring their customers’ safety:
“It’s not alcohol itself that is the problem. It is the way people behave when they use alcohol. If people can drink responsibly and take responsibility for themselves and their friends, we can have a festive season where everybody can enjoy,” he said.
However, Scheepers expressed concerns about the behaviour exhibited during the December and January months, which often leads to an increase in violence and fatalities. He added that many communities in Limpopo experience an uptick in funerals during the holiday period due to alcohol-related incidents, and he believes that an earlier closing time for liquor outlets could help mitigate these tragic outcomes.
The proposal to adjust closing times for liquor outlets, especially during the festive season, suggests that liquor sales be cut off by midnight. Currently, liquor outlets are allowed to operate until 2 AM or 4 AM. SAPS hopes that by reducing the hours in which alcohol can be sold, they can limit the opportunity for violent or reckless behavior associated with late-night drinking.
Scheepers emphasised that this initiative has been discussed with local liquor traders. The police are working to amend the Limpopo Liquor Regulations and have had consultations with stakeholders in the liquor trade to address the curfew’s implementation. The discussions are focused on finding a balance that promotes safety while also allowing businesses to operate effectively.
Alongside the curfew proposal, police are also focusing on tighter noise regulations at liquor outlets. This issue has been a growing concern as noise disturbances can escalate into public disturbances, contributing to crime and public unrest. By enforcing stricter noise control measures, SAPS hopes to curb potential problems before they escalate.
Scheepers also pointed out that liquor outlets themselves have a role to play in preventing crime. He stressed that shops selling alcohol must implement measures to prevent unruly behaviour at their premises. According to Scheepers, this responsibility lies not only with the customers but also with the business owners who must ensure that alcohol is sold and consumed responsibly.
While the police are confident that the curfew can help reduce crime, there has been some pushback from local liquor traders. Last year, the High Court in Polokwane ruled in favour of liquor traders who had challenged the implementation of the Limpopo Liquor Act, which included similar curfew regulations. However, police are still advocating for the changes, especially as the festive season approaches, which tends to see a spike in alcohol-related incidents.
The Limpopo Liquor Act (No. 5 of 2009) remains a contentious issue for some, and the debate continues over how best to regulate alcohol sales while balancing the needs of businesses and public safety.
As the festive season draws near, it is expected that police will continue to push for the implementation of the alcohol curfew, particularly as they monitor the potential impact on crime rates. The decision to impose a curfew could set a precedent for other provinces grappling with similar issues, and many will be watching closely to see if this approach leads to a reduction in alcohol-related crime during the holiday season.
