Liquor traders cry �doom� over increased licence fees
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Wednesday July 26, 2017 12:24
A statement released on the Daily News dated July 24, reads, “Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry has announced that licence fees for some liquor businesses have been increased and that the increment affects both new and renewal applications”.
The release further says the implementation of the statutory instruments will commence from October 1 and all liquor business operators and managers are advised to acquaint themselves with the fees and comply with the provisions of the Liquor Act, 2003 and its regulations.
The announcement further states that fees have been increased as follows; bar liquor P2,000, bottle store liquor store P1,000, liquor depot P300, discotheque/night club P4,000, distributor liquor P6,200, wholesale liquor P4,000, club liquor P200, temporary liquor P20 per day. In an interview with Mmegi, the manager of Lizard Entertainment Club, Michael Njunja said that the decision by the government to increase liquor licence fees is very unfair.
“It’s unfortunate that our industry keeps on being hammered by our very own government. These increments are unjust and were even done without consulting the core players in the industry,” he said.
Njunja indicated that in the past they used to pay P1,000 but now it has doubled to P2,000 even though the industry in Francistown is on its knees.
Another complainant and owner of Waterhole Bar, Aubrey Smith shared the same sentiments with Njunja, saying it is uncalled for more so that they are trading under the reduced business hours.
He indicated that they are already feeling the pinch from the liquor trading rules, as reduced bar hours have left the entertainment industry paralysed. “We no longer generate profit in our businesses and things even worsened after the closure of Tati Nickel Mining Company (TNMC), as more customers migrated from this town for greener pastures in other areas,” he said.
He added that the initiative is day-light robbery, which will destroy the entertainment industry, especially during the time when the economy of the whole country is not doing well. He said the increment is going to be a big blow for his businesses because he is already struggling with high rentals, employee salaries and high utilities.
Smith stated that the liquor business is on the verge of collapse because people purchase drinks at wholesale stores and come to the bars for entertainment only.
Manager of Tose Bar, Monty Maoto said that the government is trying by all means to destroy the entertainment industry.
He said that no consultation was done with the relevant stakeholders and that they learnt about the bad tiding through the Daily News.
He said after the reduction of operating hours, and now the incoming increment of licence fees, their business would be doomed.