The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape is calling on the provincial government to urgently review the extended liquor trading hours introduced in 2024, following warnings from Provincial Police Commissioner Lt Gen Koliswa Otola that alcohol abuse remains a key driver of rising crime in the province.
Today’s release of the Northern Cape provincial crime statistics show that it is as a result of alcohol consumption that social violence significantly increased in the province with 16 murders, 88 attempted murders, 77 rape incidents and 102 assault GBH incidents. As many as 127 Assault GBH and 69 attempted murder incidents also occurred at liquor outlets.
The DA welcomes the decisive action by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in response to our call in June last year to shut down illegal shebeens and implement a crime-prevention strategy for taverns.
However, that 363 unlicensed shebeens and taverns were closed down just between October and December 2025, is a shocking indication of just how rampant alcohol-related unlawfulness has become.
The DA will closely monitor the announcement by the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Limakatso Koloi, that discussions would take place with the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Venus Blennies, to curb liquor trading hours in the province.
To place further pressure on government to act against alcohol fuelled crime, we will now launch a petition to call for SAPS to exercise rigid control over the sector, to avoid unlicensed outlets from operating illegally, and licensed outlets from operating beyond trading hours.
The DA will not rest until lawlessness, as a result of alcohol abuse, is finally stabilised to restore safety in our communities.