Festive Season Flush: City destroys nearly 3 000 litres of alcohol
Confiscated alcohol is destroyed at the City of Cape Town’s Ndabeni Pound on Wednesday, where nearly 3 000 litres of liquor seized from public spaces were disposed of as part of ongoing festive season enforcement efforts aimed at curbing alcohol-related harm and pressure on emergency services.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers
Nearly 3 000 litres of alcohol were destroyed at the City of Cape Town’s Ndabeni Pound on Thursday.
The destruction comes as alcohol consumption in public areas remains one of the most persistent challenges facing enforcement and emergency services, particularly during December, despite repeated warnings and clear regulations prohibiting drinking in public spaces.
Figures released by the City show that in just the first 11 days of December, the liquor pound received 1 814 units of confiscated alcohol, amounting to just under 740 litres.
City officials expect these numbers to escalate sharply in the coming weeks as beach attendance and public gatherings increase.
Mayoral Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, said the volumes being destroyed reflect an annual pattern that places significant strain on City resources.
“It’s a clear indication once more of what we are faced with each and every year. These totals will balloon over the coming weeks, and next year, we’ll dispose of it all,” Smith said.
He said public focus often centres on the destruction of confiscated alcohol, while the broader consequences of irresponsible drinking receive far less attention.
“The City takes a lot of flak for the alcohol destruction, but the outrage around the destruction that irresponsible alcohol use causes is far more muted.
"We can significantly reduce incidents of interpersonal violence, drownings, road accidents and pressure on our trauma centres and enforcement services by making different choices, yet for many people this is simply too big an ask,” Smith said.
Alcohol is prohibited on beaches and in certain public spaces under the City’s Coastal by-law, with signage displayed at beaches and public amenities informing visitors of the restrictions.
Anyone found in possession of or consuming alcohol in these areas will have their alcohol confiscated in line with the City’s impoundment policy and will also be issued with a R500 fine.
Confiscated alcohol may be reclaimed upon payment of the fine and an impoundment release fee of R835. Alcohol that is not reclaimed is disposed of in accordance with the City’s policy.
Smith said disposal remains the City’s preferred option, following legal advice.
“Disposal is the easiest option, as a legal opinion several years ago highlighted a number of complexities to the sale of impounded liquor, including the need for a liquor licence and that it could create the perception that confiscations are profit-driven and not in the interest of public safety.”
With peak festive season still ahead, Smith renewed his call for compliance.
“As we head into the peak festive season, I appeal once more to the public to leave the alcohol at home and to keep our public spaces alcohol-free, for their own safety, but also that of others,” he said.
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