Siyabonga Sithole|Published
Shebeen owners and local liquor traders, part of the Gauteng Liquor Traders Association (GLTA), converged at Beyers Naudé Square in Johannesburg on Thursday to voice their urgent demands for enhanced safety measures and improved service delivery from the provincial government.
The peaceful protest attracted a significant number of licence holders from across Gauteng, all rallying for a safer environment for their patrons following a surge in deadly shootings at taverns.
At the heart of this demonstration is a series of brutal incidents that have claimed the lives of more than 100 patrons in various locations, notably Wedela, Bekkersdal, and Tshwane. The most harrowing incident occurred last month in Wedela, where a violent attack by unidentified gunmen left 18 individuals dead and dozens injured. As these incidents sent shockwaves through communities, local liquor traders are calling on Premier Panyaza Lesufi to take immediate action by implementing a strategic safety initiative aimed at curbing violence.
Jongikhaya Kraai, spokesperson for the GLTA, articulated the profound concern among traders regarding the safety of their customers.
"We are deeply concerned about the safety of our patrons, and we do not want any more shootings to happen. We are pleading with the Premier to implement our 2023 strategy where we signed the Safety Before Profits pledge," he asserted. The pledge was established to prioritise safety over financial gain, yet traders feel the promised actions have yet to materialise.
Among those voicing their concerns was Nombulelo Mkhize, a tavern owner from Dlamini, Soweto. Mkhize revealed that despite the issue of safety and security, traders are often left to fend for themselves due to regulatory challenges affecting the issuing of operating licences.
"We are living in constant fear of similar attacks that have taken place in Bekkersdal and other areas. I've upgraded my security protocols, including installing more cameras and ensuring that patrons are searched as they enter," she explained.
As a measure against overcrowding—identified as a contributing factor to safety risks—Mkhize has taken additional steps to ensure a more controlled environment.
In their memorandum of demands, the traders highlighted that despite implementing various security measures linked to their operating licences, more comprehensive action is necessary to eliminate the risk of mass shootings.
They targeted several key issues in their appeal, including government action on the rampant circulation of illegal firearms, coordinated and dedicated law enforcement strategies that can proactively address these challenges, and regular updates and consultations with affected communities regarding safety measures.
While accepting their own responsibilities as traders, they stressed that the concept of safety before profits must be a collaborative effort, devoid of an imbalanced burden placed solely on them. "Safety before profits cannot mean responsibility for traders and promises from government," they stated emphatically.
Furthermore, traders have raised regulatory concerns about the industry, particularly the ongoing uncertainties surrounding shebeen permits. They have urged a moratorium on police raids, underscoring their apprehension regarding enforcement actions taken against outlets operating under shebeen permits, especially since legal challenges concerning these permits have remained unresolved since 2017.
Lesufi was not available to accept the memorandum as he had a prior engagement at the Gauteng Climate Change Indaba, where he gave a keynote address. However, officials from his office promised to deliver the memorandum to the Premier.
siyabonga.sithole@nationalmg.co.za