Free State MEC wants number of liquor outlets reduced
The province has 1630 licensed taverns, 1386 liquor stores, and 11 registered nightclubs.
Free State MEC of Police, Roads, and Transport, Sam Mashinini is engaging with a number of stakeholders to have the number of liquor outlets in the province significantly reduced.
This comes as the Provincial Police Commissioner, Moeketsi Sempe noted during a media briefing on the Free State’s crime figures for the 2018/19 financial year on Tuesday that the province has 1630 licensed taverns, 1386 liquor stores, and 11 registered nightclubs.
Authorities state 60% of the murders committed in South Africa occur during the weekend.
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Sempe stressed that this is an indicator that high alcohol consumption rates and drug abuse is linked to the crimes committed.
Mashinini is adamant that getting rid of liquor outlets is an important aspect of reducing crime in the province.
The Free State’s murder rate decreased by 5,1% in 2018/19, while the national murder rate rose by 3,4%.
The province is one of very few province’s that managed to reduce the annual murder rate.