The Social Movement for Advocacy, Rights and Transformation (SMART) has called for urgent criminal investigations and sweeping reforms following the release of a damning inquiry report into the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB).
SMART says it was “deeply appalled” by the findings contained in the Gauteng Liquor Board Committee of Inquiry Report released by Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Vuyiswa Ramokgopa.
Lehlogonolo Muthevhuli, SMART spokesperson said the report exposed widespread corruption, maladministration, unlawful licensing practices and weak enforcement systems within the GLB.
She also raised alarm over the continued spread of liquor outlets near schools, places of worship, recreational centres and residential areas, saying this directly violated the Gauteng Liquor Act.
According to the organisation, communities across Gauteng have for years complained about the uncontrolled growth of liquor outlets, and the report now confirms long-standing suspicions that corruption and regulatory failures enabled unlawful liquor trading to flourish.
Muthevhuli linked the proliferation of liquor outlets to rising social problems including substance abuse, school dropouts, gender-based violence, domestic violence and crime.
“It is unacceptable that liquor outlets continue operating near schools while government simultaneously battles rising levels of learner dropouts and substance abuse among young people,” said Lehlogonolo Muthevhuli, SMART spokesperson
The report revealed that fewer than 20 inspectors are responsible for monitoring more than 33,000 licensed liquor outlets across Gauteng, while an estimated 200,000 illegal outlets are believed to be operating throughout the province.
SMART described the situation as a “catastrophic collapse of regulatory oversight” that created fertile ground for corruption and illegal trading.
Muthevhuli welcomed Ramokgopa’s decision to release the report publicly in the interest of transparency and accountability and supported plans to modernise licensing systems, strengthen enforcement operations and improve coordination with law enforcement agencies and municipalities.
However, SMART argued that administrative reforms alone would not be sufficient.
“We are calling for immediate criminal investigations and prosecutions of officials, inspectors, consultants and syndicates implicated in corruption and unlawful licensing activities. As an organisation, we demand the urgent closure of illegal liquor outlets operating near schools and residential areas, lifestyle audits for implicated officials, and increased investment in rehabilitation and youth development programmes,” Muthevhuli added.
The organisation further called for stronger community participation in liquor licensing processes and a complete overhaul of the Gauteng Liquor Board to restore public confidence.“The people of Gauteng deserve a regulatory system that prioritises public health, community safety, and the future of young people above corruption and profit,” she said.
