The Limpopo Provincial Government has unveiled proposed amendments to its liquor regulations, marking significant changes to the framework established in March 2023. The Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism has released the draft amendments for public consultation, with stakeholders given 30 days to submit their responses.
The comprehensive revision encompasses several key areas, including modifications to licensing procedures, business management protocols, and notably, extended operating hours for on-site consumption establishments. The amendments also introduce updates to various administrative forms and fee structures.
Among the proposed changes are revisions to the licence application process, notification requirements, procedures for business core activity modifications, and protocols for appointing new business managers. Schedule 1, which governs trading days and times, has been notably amended to allow longer operating hours for on-consumption venues.
However, legal experts note a potential constitutional complexity. Under South Africa’s Constitution, the authority to regulate trading hours falls under municipal jurisdiction rather than provincial control, as outlined in Schedule 4 Part B. In practice, this means that where local municipalities have established their own by-laws governing liquor trading hours, these take precedence over provincial regulations.
The complete draft amendments, spanning pages 12 to 52 of the proposal document, are currently available for public review. These changes will modify the original regulations published in March 2023, which can be accessed through the provincial gazette archives.
Interested parties are encouraged to submit their comments within the stipulated 30-day consultation period, ensuring their voices are heard in this significant regulatory update for Limpopo’s liquor industry.
Draft Regulation Amendment for comment below – from page 12 to 52
For comparison purposes a copy of the original 2023 Regulation can be downloaded at –
https://gazettes.africa/akn/za-lp/officialGazette/provincial-gazette/2023-03-31/3386/eng@2023-03-31
pages 6 to 144
