Abstract
This study examines the current Liquor Act No. 59 of 2003 and the proposed Liquor Amendment Bill of 2016. These pieces of legislation are analysed, and the extent of their implementation is evaluated, with a special focus on taverns and their role in the alcohol industry in South Africa. The study considers taverns as small businesses, and explores how they are affected by the Liquor Act.
The purpose of the study was to explore alcohol policy regulation and the effects of policy implementation on taverns. Using a survey methodology, the research was conducted in registered taverns in the township of Tembisa in Gauteng province.
The primary objective was to:
▪ Explore the regulation and implementation of the Liquor Act No. 59 of 2003 on taverns, and the possible effects of the Draft Liquor Amendment Bill of 2016 on taverns
The secondary research objectives were to:
▪ Review the obstacles experienced by taverns in abiding by the Liquor Act No. 59 of 2003.
▪ Explore government regulation of taverns.
▪ Explore the extent to which the regulations arising from the Liquor Act No. 59 of 2003 are implemented in taverns.
▪ Review the possible challenges faced by taverns as a result of the proposed Liquor Amendment Bill of 2016.
The study found that:
▪ The government’s regulation and implementation of the Liquor Act No. 59 of 2003 is inadequate, and it is not doing enough to implement these regulations.
▪ The government does not have enough capacity to regulate the tavern market, and cannot prove conclusively that, by regulating this market, the level of alcohol abuse will go down.
▪ The respondents interviewed in the course of this study are of the opinion that the proposed Liquor Amendment Bill 2016 will cause them to lose business and to close down.
M.Com. (Business Management)