Speaking to reporters outside the committee's fifth and final public hearing on the bill in Mabopane, north west of Pretoria, Mafika Mgcina said the new bill would also seek to reduce the turn-around time of a liquor licence application, a problem in the past and one reiterated by business owners.
"We view alcohol as an industry and business... it propels economic growth," he said.
Mgcina said he hoped that the bill would be on premier Nomvula Mokonyane's desk for signing before the Gauteng legislature wrapped up its work for the year.
"However, we are not going to rush it," he said.
The committee had been impressed with the high level of interest shown not just by business owners but by community and religious stakeholders at the meetings, with over 200 people attending the Mabopane gathering.
The committee had also received written submissions on the new bill, with Mgcina describing the discussions at the public meetings as "robust".
Preventing the sale of alcohol on a Sunday, mooted previously, was not part of the new bill. The bill would repeal and replace the 2003 Gauteng Liquor Act.
Provisions in the bill that differ from its predecessor include the removal of local committees who received new licence applications, and the re-categorisation of different liquor licences for different types of businesses.
New liquor licence applications had to take place with the required documentation attached and complete, consideration guidelines for the Gauteng Liquor Board were included and the Gauteng Liquor Appeal Board would be established.
Selling liquor to a pupil in school uniform and a person who reasonably appeared intoxicated would be prohibited and inspectors would be required to conduct an inspection of every new applicant's premises, among other things.
The new bill would also empower the liquor board inspectorate to close down premises if they became aware of public disturbances, liquor legislation being breached, a riot taking place, non-compliance taking place on more than three occasions, and public violence occurring, among other changes.
Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge
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