- proposes 24 hr sale of alcohol
Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Tiroeaone Ntsima has revealed that the Liquor Amendment Bill, 2025 which is intended to address the concerns regarding alcohol sale and consumption will impose stricter regulations on liquor outlets while promote the easy of doing alcohol.
Ntsima said this during the consultative meeting on the Liquor Amendment Bill 2025 that was held at Boseja Kgotla in Maun recently.
According to him, the bill proposes to make it mandatory for every liquor outlets that play music to install sound proof system so that the noise does not affect people living near those areas. Ntsima also said that through the bill they intend to introduce strict measures to those who sell alcohol to underage, operate beyond trading hours and other offences related to alcohol sale and consumption.
He stated that the bill considers the possibility of reducing the current distance from 500 meters to 250 meters between liquor outlets and schools, highways, major roads and churches. He noted that the bill also considers reducing the waiting period for acquiring liquor licenses in order to ensure easy way of doing business.
“Currently, the Liquor Act prohibits the issuance of new liquor licenses to bars, club, discotheque and night clubs in premises which are less than 500 meters away from schools, highways, major roads and churches,” he said.
Ntsima has revealed that the bill also considers allowing the 24-hour sale of alcohol as a way to enhance revenue generation and create employment opportunities.
The minister noted that alcohol sale and consumption come with different challenges therefore require collaboration between different stakeholders hence the decision to consult members of the community on bill. According to Ntsima, the review of the Liquor Act would play an important role in providing guidance on the best possible way to regulate the liquor industry.
He added that his Ministry has consulted various stakeholders and came up with a draft of the Liquor Amendment Bill of 2025, which seek to address challenges identified during implementation of the current act.
Meanwhile, residents of Maun have voiced their distress over incessant noise pollution from bars plaguing their community.
Expressing deep frustration, residents highlighted the recurring issue of loud music disturbing the tranquillity of their neighbourhoods. They stressed the urgent need for lasting measures to curb the persistent disturbance.
One of the residents, Otsetswe Thabare has demanded strict enforcement measures and sustainable solutions, emphasising the negative effects of noise pollution on their quality of life. He also raised a concern about the proximity of the bars to the residential areas which exposes them to noise and risky alcohol-related behaviours.
Constance Gabosekgwe, said that noise nuisance is sometimes caused by those who are selling alcohol from their homes. She added that government should implement strict measures to control the sale of alcohol from homes, and that most of those businesses operate beyond trading hours.
Another resident, Tshepo Mokhawa, has also called the government to put strict measure to control the sale of home brewed alcohol, pointing that the alcohol poses risks to human health as it is not laboratory tested for safety. The residents have also raised concerns about some bars that sell alcohol to the underage, pointing that this negatively affects their children’s future.
