Johannesburg - Shebeens must also comply with the new Gauteng Liquor Act, economic development MEC Qedani Mahlangu said on Sunday.
"It is critical that, as liquor traders, they must
comply with the spirit and latter of the current legislation," she said
during a media briefing on applications for new liquor licences and
other liquor issues in Johannesburg.
She said shebeens currently fell outside the ambit of
the existing legislation. However, shebeen permits were due to
expire at the end of June, around the time when the new legislation
should come into operation.
"To this end, the shebeens will have a minimum period
of three months commencing on July 1 to migrate into the current
legislation by applying for any type of licence they deem appropriate
for their business."
The new legislation would include that licences be
renewed annually, licences issued prior to the new act be renewed
subject to conditions of the new legislation and compliance with the
broad-based black economic empowerment act.
"We wish to emphasise that there will not be an automatic renewal of licences as is currently the practice," she said.
The department introduced a moratorium on liquor licences in August last year in a move to curb problems faced by the industry.
"The moratorium has been lifted and the board is ready to deal with new applications," she said.