Pretoria - Police have been urged to clamp down on non-compliance with the Liquor Act and stamp their authority against illegal liquor trading, violation of trading hours and illegal bashes ahead of New Year festivities.
North West MEC for Public Safety and Liaison, Desbo Mohono made the call on the eve of the commemoration of the Ipelegeng stampede in which 10 youths died at a tavern on New Year's Day.
His call also follows the high incidents of rapes, murder, armed robberies, assault grievous bodily harm and assault common reported during the Christmas weekend.
According to police, many of the crimes committed during the period were either as a direct or indirect result to the operating hours, abuse of alcohol, the lack of proper management by tavern owners in terms of the applicable provisions of the Liquor Act and non-compliance to the provisions of the Act.
Non-compliance relates to the selling of liquor to minors, selling after official trading hours, selling to already intoxicated patrons and selling of liquor for consumption other than on the licensed premises.
Lack of management by owners also result in members of the public carrying dangerous weapons inside the licensed premises which, in many instances contribute to offences such as assault, attempted murder, armed robberies and murder.
The MEC appealed to women to avoid walking alone at night particularly after visiting taverns and shebeens as most reported rape cases occurred after victims had left these premises.
Mohono also pleaded with parents not to leave their young children alone and or unattended to reduce the risk of them being targeted for heinous crimes in their absence.
She also advised parents to at all times know their whereabouts of their children, be concerned about their wellbeing and safety.
