Note to Editors: Please note Hannah Lidgett sound bite in English
The DA has called on KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) to urgently overhaul its Liquor Licence Authority (LLA) entity, as ongoing licencing delays threaten jobs and businesses in the province.
With liquor licence applications currently taking up to a year to conclude, many businesses are struggling to survive while navigating an unnecessarily complex and bureaucratic system when making applications.
Instead of supporting entrepreneurs, the EDTEA’s red tape and inefficiency are forcing applicants to turn to expensive middlemen simply to complete their applications.
At a time when South Africa faces a 30.5% unemployment rate, government should be removing obstacles rather than creating additional financial burdens for businesses. The priority should be keeping businesses open and creating jobs.
Liquor-reliant establishments play a crucial role in local economies, yet government’s failure to process applications efficiently is pushing them to the brink of closure.
A key factor compounding these delays is the lack of communication from the LLA. Applicants are left in the dark, unable to track their progress or obtain reliable updates. The DA calls for the immediate implementation of a live-tracking system that allows businesses to see exactly where their application is in the process—ensuring transparency and accountability.
The ease of doing business with government must be modernised. The current archaic, paper-based liquor licensing process is outdated, cumbersome, and completely out of step with international best practices. An urgent overhaul is required to transition to a digital, streamlined, and efficient system.
Government of National Unity (GPU) Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, has already demonstrated the power of digital transformation by digitalising key services within his department – eliminating cumbersome paperwork, long queues, and unnecessary travel to government offices. The success of digital portals, such as the Tour Operator Scheme, proves that smart technology can dramatically improve service delivery.
The DA has written to the Chairperson of KZN’s EDTEA portfolio committee to demand that the LLA appear before the committee to account for the ongoing unacceptable delays. The apathy of departmental officials must also be addressed – businesses cannot afford to suffer further due to inefficiency and bureaucratic indifference.
The DA remains committed to cutting red tape, modernising government processes, and ensuring that businesses receive the support they need to thrive. We will continue to push for a transparent, efficient, and digitally enabled liquor licensing system that facilitates business growth and job creation in KZN.