allAfrica.com: Botswana: Booze Law Ambushes 'April Fools' (Page 1 of 1)

Amid confusion and secrecy, the new liquor trading hours became effective on April 1. Liquor traders were caught unaware about this development. Most traders did not know when the regulations came into effect. Apparently the regulations were published in the Government Gazette on March 31.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry issued a press statement yesterday confirming that the new regulations came into effect on April 1.

"It has come to our attention that there is confusion as to when the Liquor Regulations, 2008 came into force. The purpose of this press release is, therefore, to confirm that the Liquor Act, No.9 of 2004 came into force on 1 April 2008 in terms of Statutory Instrument No.23 of 2008 published in the Government Gazette Vol XLVI No20 dated 31st March 2008. The Liquor Regulations 2008 also came into force on 1st April, 2008," the press statement read. The secretary of liquor traders association, John Kula says the government caught them off guard. "It is outrageous. They are trying to do it as secretly as possible. Why are they doing it secretly? We have complained and asked for consultations," he said. Kula said the government claims that it has compromised on trading hours. "But how can you compromise without the other party. How can you compromise when you are not there?" he said.

Kula said they are going to respond to the government decision and map a way forward. There is a likelihood that the liquor traders might take the government to court. The revised trade hours show that bars will be open from 14.00 to 22.00 hours from Monday to Thursday. On Friday and Saturday the bars will operate from 12.00 to 23.00 hrs. On Sundays and public holidays, bars will open from 3.00 pm to 10.00 pm. The bottle store opening hours remain the same. They open from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm.

Liquor depots will operate from 14.00 to 22.00 hours from Monday to Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, they operate from 12.00 to 23.00 hours while on Sundays and public holidays, they operate from 15.00 to 22.00 hours. Nightclubs will operate from 7.00 pm to midnight from Monday to Thursdays. On Friday and Saturdays, they will operate from 19.00 to 0200 hrs. On Sundays and public holidays, they will operate from 15.00 to 22.00 hrs. Liquor clubs will open from 2.00 pm to 10.00 pm from Monday to Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, they would trade from 12.00 to 23.00 hours. On Sundays and public holidays, the trading hours are 15.00 hours to 22 hours. Trade fairs where liquor is on sale will operate from 12 midday to 18.00 hours from Mondays to Saturday. Festivals will operate from 14.00 to midnight from Monday to Saturday. Picnics will operate from 12 mid-day to 19.00 hours while other public activities will sell liquor from 14.00 to midnight. Liquor wholesales will operate from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm from Monday to Saturday. Liquor distributors will open from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm from Monday to Saturday.

The press release from the ministry has been copied to the Commissioner of Police so that the police can start closing liquor establishments which do not comply with the new regulations.

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