By Lulama kaSozathini | Pictures: Supplied
The Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) is hosting a public consultation workshop at the Cambridge SAPS Hall this week, aimed at presenting and discussing the latest amendments to the Eastern Cape Liquor Amendment Regulations, 2025, with Buffalo City Metro (BCM) liquor traders.
The session forms part of a province-wide consultation process designed to explain the rationale behind the new changes, outline the legislative process, and provide liquor traders and stakeholders an opportunity to engage and submit comments before the regulations are finalised and gazetted.
The amendments, which took effect on 1 March 2025, seek to promote responsible liquor trading through stricter licensing conditions, improved compliance requirements, and updated fee structures.
Speaking during the workshop, Kerry-Anne Oosthuysen from the Eastern Cape Liquor Board highlighted that the amendments followed extensive feedback from liquor traders and industry representatives.
“Representations received from liquor traders through the Eastern Cape Liquor Forum (ECLF) raised concerns about affordability, the impact on small traders, and the risk of outlet closures,” said Oosthuysen.
“The ECLB’s 2024 Demographic Study confirmed that tavern and emerging licence holders would be disproportionately affected. This led to the decision to conduct public consultations to ensure the proposed amendments are fair, inclusive, and aligned with economic realities.”
Key Proposed Amendments
New Registration Fees:
- Off-consumption: R5 000 (no change)
- On-consumption: R5 000 → R8 000 (+60%)
- On & Off consumption: R8 000 → R4 000 (-50%)
- Manager’s appointment fee: R200 → R500 (+150%)
Annual Renewal Fees:
- Retail sale (off-consumption): R3 500 (no change)
- Retail sale (on-consumption): R2 500 → R3 500 (+40%)
- Retail sale (on & off consumption): R5 000 → R3 500 (-30%)
The Board also proposes that all prescribed fees may, if necessary, be adjusted annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as published by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) each year on 1 October. This measure is intended to ensure gradual, predictable changes that reflect inflation trends.
Over the past three years, CPI has shown a steady decline — from 6.9% in 2022 and 6.0% in 2023, to 4.4% in 2024 — providing a benchmark for future fee adjustments.
Consultation and Next Steps
The public consultation notice was officially published on 10 October 2025, allowing a 30-day comment period ending 10 November 2025. Following the close of submissions, all inputs will be consolidated and forwarded to Hon MEC Pieters and Hon MEC Mvoko for concurrence before the final gazetting, scheduled ahead of the renewal period opening on 1 December 2025.
Liquor traders and members of the public are encouraged to submit their comments in writing to:
Ronel de Bruin
Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT)
Palm Square Office Park, Bonza Bay Road, Beacon Bay
📧 Ronel.debruin@dedea.gov.za
📧 CC: Anele.Tsipa@dedea.gov.za
🗓️ Closing date: 10 November 2025
For more information, contact the Eastern Cape Liquor Board at 043 7000 900 or visit their official social media pages.
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