Liquor licence and renewal backlog down to incomplete docs, says Gauteng Liquor Board

Liquor traders in Gauteng are feeling the effects of an increase in licence fees as well as a backlog in obtaining the licences. The Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB) has since elaborated on the nature of the complaints, with the Gauteng Liquor Traders Council (GLTC) offering a possible solution. As well as fee increase, the GLB recently announced that liquor licences would be automatically cancelled should their holders allow them to lapse.

Should the licences lapse, the holders will be forced to reapply, with the cut-off being 1 April. Licence holders will still have a final grace window, with relevant penalties liable for renewals submitted before a 30 and 60-day deadline. GLB Chief Director Crezelda Venter explained the cancelling of lapsed licences was permissible under sections 99 and 100 of theGauteng Liquor Actand urged traders to comply.

“The GLB has a revenue management policy that was recently reviewed in terms of the Gauteng Liquor Act. “Licence holders have a period of two months to renew their lapsed licences. After that period, they will be required to submit a new application,” Venter toldThe Citizen.

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DA shadow economic development MEC Mike Moriarty stated last week that the rush to comply was causing a bottleneck. “The GLB has a severe backlog in issuing licences and renewals that will lead to job losses. It is also an opportunity for corruption to take place,” said Moriarty.

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