Thousands of litres of booze, worth an inestimable amount, were poured down the drain today during the City’s annual publicised disposal of unclaimed confiscated alcohol.
Among the bottles destroyed were high-end spirits such as Johnny Walker Blue Label whisky and Bombay Sapphire gin, with at least one bottle estimated to be worth approximately R16 000. A large portion of the alcohol had been confiscated from revellers during illegal public drinking bouts at known hotspots in the first weeks of December.
Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, said confiscated alcohol is destroyed throughout the year. On average the City destroys about 15 000 litres of unclaimed alcohol a year.
“The destruction of nearly 3 000 litres of confiscated alcohol at the pound today highlights a very serious ongoing problem we have with alcohol abuse, especially during the festive season,” Smith said during the disposal event. “The City takes a lot of flak for the alcohol destruction, but the outrage around the destruction that irresponsible alcohol use causes is far more muted.”
Massive confiscation surge during festive period
In the first 11 days of December alone, the City’s liquor pound received 1 814 units of confiscated alcohol, amounting to just under 740 litres.
Smith said these totals would “balloon over the coming weeks” as enforcement activities intensify during the peak festive period.
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“It’s a clear indication – once more – of what we are faced with each and every year,” he said.
The confiscated liquor predominantly comes from revellers caught consuming alcohol in public spaces, with many bottles being partially consumed, raising both safety and quality concerns for any potential resale.
Creative concealment methods challenge enforcement
Smith said people use increasingly creative methods to hide alcohol in public spaces, making enforcement particularly challenging for officers.
“Alcohol consumption in public spaces remains one of the biggest headaches for our enforcement and emergency staff,” he explained, citing examples of alcohol hidden inside fruit, juice bottles, and even baby nappies.
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Despite clear signage posted at all beaches and public amenities outlining prohibited activities, violations continue to surge during the holiday season. Anyone found possessing or consuming alcohol in public faces immediate confiscation of their goods and a R500 fine under the City’s coastal by-law and impoundment policy.
The alcohol can be reclaimed upon payment of the fine plus an impoundment release fee of R835, though many items remain unclaimed and are eventually destroyed.
Legal complexities prevent alcohol resale
Smith justified the destruction policy by citing legal complications that would arise from selling confiscated alcohol rather than destroying it. Disposal is the easiest option, he said, as legal opinion highlighted a number of complexities around the sale of impounded liquor, including the need for a liquor licence.
He said it would also create the perception that confiscations are profit-driven and not in the interest of public safety,
Much of the confiscated alcohol is also partially drunk, making resale both impractical and potentially unsafe.
Alcohol-related incidents strain emergency services
The enforcement challenges extend far beyond simple confiscation, with alcohol-related incidents placing enormous pressure on the City’s emergency and trauma services, Smith said.
In just six months, the City’s emergency call centre received 6 655 trauma-related assault calls and responded to 22 460 motor vehicle accidents, many directly linked to alcohol consumption.
Festive season safety appeal
As Cape Town heads into the peak festive season, Smith issued a renewed appeal for public cooperation in keeping alcohol out of public spaces.
“As we head into the peak festive season, I appeal once more to the public to leave the alcohol at home and to keep our public spaces alcohol-free, for their own safety, but also that of others,” he said.
Smith particularly emphasised the dangers of drinking and driving.
“This festive season we really want to be remembered as a time of celebration, not a time of tragedy, so please choose responsibly and choose life. We do need the public to work with us – this must be a collective effort. It is not about the city versus the public or the police versus the the public, we don’t make these rules arbitrarily. They are there because we have learned from painful experience that alcohol in public places and alcohol and driving don’t mix. There are many people who have needlessly lost family due to drownings, to pedestrian accidents which are extremely prevalent, and to drunk driving accidents, which could all have been avoided.”
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