The Gauteng Liquor Traders Association Has Rejected The Gauteng Liquor Board’s Proposal To Increase License Fees

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The Gauteng Liquor Traders Association (GLTA) has officially voiced its strong opposition to a new proposal by the Gauteng Liquor Board that seeks to significantly hike liquor license fees. 

The association, representing thousands of small and medium sized tavern owners and traders, argues that the proposed increases are not only exorbitant but also poorly timed. 

Traders contend that the industry is still struggling to recover from the long term economic fallout of the pandemic and persistent inflation, making any additional financial burden a threat to their survival.

At the heart of the rejection is the claim that the Liquor Board failed to conduct an adequate socio economic impact study before suggesting the new fee structure. 

The GLTA points out that many township based traders operate on thin profit margins and that a steep rise in administrative costs could force many legal establishments into the informal, unregulated sector. 

By making compliance unaffordable, the association warns that the provincial government might inadvertently encourage under the counter trading, which undermines public safety and tax collection efforts.

Furthermore, the GLTA has criticized the provincial government for what it perceives as a lack of meaningful consultation with grassroots stakeholders. 

Members of the association have expressed frustration that while they are expected to pay more, the service delivery from the Liquor Board specifically regarding the processing of renewals and the combatting of illegal outlets remains sluggish. 

They argue that fee hikes should be linked to improved efficiency and better support for the legal trade, rather than serving as a simple revenue generating tool for the province.

As the standoff continues, the GLTA has called for an immediate suspension of the proposal and invited the Gauteng Department of Economic Development to the negotiating table. 

The association is advocating for a more balanced approach that considers the economic reality of township economies and the vital role liquor traders play in local job creation. 

Without a revised plan that includes a staggered implementation or a reduction in the proposed rates, the association has hinted at mobilizing its members for further protest actions to protect their livelihoods.


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