Officials from the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (the dtic), Northern Cape Gambling and Liquor Board and South African Police Service (SAPS) embarked on an unannounced joint compliance inspection operation in Kuruman, Kathu, Batlharos and sorrounding villages, in three-day operations took place from 12-14 August 2025.
Fines to the value of R18 000 were issued to non-compliant liquor traders. and a gambling machine was confiscated. A total of 39 retail premises and two gambling sites were visited.
According to the Chief Director of the National Liquor Authority at the dtic, Ms Prea Ramdhuny, in addition to addressing the growing number of unlicensed traders and non-compliance with licensing requirements and trading hours, the operation was also designed to enforce compliance with the Liquor Act 59 of 2003.
“The purpose of the surprise raids was to make sure that distributors are selling alcohol to authorised retailers. the dtic continues to face difficulties in regulating liquor since registrants either fail to adhere to their registration requirements or continue to operate after their license has been revoked. We will need to evaluate licenses,” said Ramdhuny.
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Cape Gambling and Liquor Board, Mr Modise Letselebe said as the Board they wanted to send out a strong message to illegal traders.
“The inspection team visited a number of liquor premises and it was noted that most traders tend to be ignorant of regulations as they were found to be contravening the Liquor Act. This joint operation emanated from a high rising number of complaints from community members that most businesses do not adhere to government trading regulations and contravene the Liquor Act,” said Letselebe.
He added that as the Board they observed that some traders were selling fake and illicit alcohol, and some liquor license holders were turning a blind eye to regulations as they were found to be violating conditions of liquor .
“Selling alcohol to underage children, which is a criminal offence according to the Criminal Procedure Act needs to the addressed. It is the lives of law-abiding citizens, the lives of innocent road users, the lives of children playing in the streets, wives who get trampled on and beaten up by drunk husbands and partners, that we strive to protect as an organisation,” concluded Letselebe.
An illegal gambling machine being confiscated during a joint compliance raid in Batlharos, Northern Cape.
Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
Tel: (012) 394 1643
Mobile: 079 5083 457
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E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
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