Liquor appeal: Court reserves judgement

The appeal was heard at the Court of Appeal in Lobatse yesterday. In May, Lobatse High Court Judge, Isaac Lesetedi granted nightclub owners a temporary relief to operate within the hours stipulated in their old special licences until they expire. The old licences entitled nightclubs to operate between 8 pm and 4 am.

The traders initially took government to court to challenge the new liquor regulations, which reduced their trading hours. The High Court ruled in favour of the nightclub operators that they should continue to use their special licences until when they expired.