Mitchells Plain residents oppose liquor licence for Shoprite Checkers

Residents of Lentegeur have raised objections to what they believe is a plan to allow Shoprite Checkers to operate a liquor outlet in their area.

They claim that the City of Cape Town’s Subcouncil 17 has supported the licence application without proper consultation.

But the city has denied that such a proposal exists and said it welcomed any input from members of the community.

Community activist Shahiem van Nelson said residents and local organisations were not consulted, yet the liquor outlet is nearing completion.

“This objection is based on serious concerns regarding flawed process, misleading reporting, and the harmful social and developmental impact this application may have on our already vulnerable community,” he said.

Mr Van Nelson disputed a South African Police Service (SAPS) report that claimed there were no liquor-related crimes in the area. “This is a blatant misrepresentation. Lentegeur and the greater Mitchell’s Plain area continue to face high levels of alcohol-fuelled domestic violence, youth substance abuse, gangsterism, and other alcohol-related incidents.”

He said that SAPS had either failed to conduct a proper investigation or had deliberately downplayed the situation. He said there was no input received from the ward 78 councillor, ward committee, Community Policing Forum, Health, Emergency Services, or neighbourhood watches.

“This cannot be interpreted as community support. Instead, it reveals a complete breakdown in community consultation. The absence of any formal response from elected structures raises concern about how this application proceeded without adequate public engagement,” he said.

Mr Van Nelson accused large businesses of promoting alcohol use in a community already struggling with substance abuse issues. He called on residents to petition against the liquor outlet’s opening.

“We formally challenge whether the subcouncil manager has the legal and procedural authority to recommend support for this licence in the complete absence of feedback from councillors and community structures,” he said. “Subcouncil decisions are supposed to reflect the input of elected representatives and the broader community, not a single official acting on unchecked delegated power.”

He said the application indicates four crèches and two churches are located within five to eighty metres of the proposed outlet. Another liquor outlet already exists within 150 metres.

“This means the site is clearly over-saturated and socially inappropriate. The presence of vulnerable children and worshippers makes this location highly unsuitable for the sale of liquor,” he said.

He further stated that there is no evidence of community support. “Allowing this application to proceed will worsen alcohol dependency, social dysfunction, and law enforcement burdens. Lentegeur needs investment in education, housing, jobs, and safety, not more liquor outlets,” he said.

“We oppose this application in the strongest terms and call on the Western Cape Liquor Authority to reject the application outright. Investigate the failure of proper consultation by the subcouncil and review the SAPS submission for misleading content. Enforce stricter community engagement requirements before any further decisions are taken,” he said.

Another resident, who identified himself only as Abdull, said: “We have people abusing substances and drugs. There is gender-based violence and shootings. If now you will add another problem to the ones we have, there will be more vagrants.”

Subcouncil manager Goodman Rorwana said the city would not allow any business to operate in contravention of the law. He said Shoprite may have applied for a licence, but the decision lies with the Western Cape Liquor Authority.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding about the business’s proposal,” he said, adding that the public is encouraged to exercise their rights and oppose the application if necessary.