Objection to Discretionary Liquor Licence Application – 7th Street, Melville
Melville residents are hereby notified of a new discretionary liquor licence application submitted to the Gauteng Liquor Board for:
Anti-Social Cafe (applying under the name Buzz99)
📍 294 7th Street, Melville
📅 Application lodged: 6 May 2026
⏳ Objection deadline: 27 May 2026
This Is Time-Sensitive
Residents have the legal right to object — but all objections must be submitted by 27 May 2026.
After this date, the opportunity to formally influence this decision will close.
👉 If you are concerned about the impact of this application, it is important to act now.
What Is Being Applied For?
The applicant is seeking a discretionary liquor licence — the most open-ended licence category under the Gauteng Liquor Act.
Unlike standard licences (such as restaurant or tavern licences), a discretionary licence:
Has no clearly defined operating framework
Is granted entirely at the discretion of the Gauteng Liquor Board
Can allow broad and flexible use of the premises
Provides limited clarity on operating conditions and enforcement
👉 In practical terms, this creates uncertainty around:
Operating hours
Nature of activities (e.g. events, DJs, late-night trading)
The ability of authorities to enforce conditions
MRA Position
The Melville Residents Association (MRA) does not believe that a discretionary liquor licence is appropriate in a mixed but predominantly residential environment such as Melville.
Our concerns are not about a single business, but about:
the type of licence being applied for, and its long-term impact on the suburb.
1. Impact on Residential Environment
7th Street interfaces directly with residential homes.
An unrestricted licence increases the risk of:
Late-night noise and disturbances
Increased foot traffic and loitering
Public intoxication and anti-social behaviour
2. Cumulative Impact on Melville
Melville already has a high concentration of liquor-licensed premises.
Approving an additional open-ended licence contributes to:
Increased pressure on infrastructure
Greater enforcement challenges
Gradual erosion of residential amenity
3. Enforcement Reality
Residents are already experiencing:
Limited by-law enforcement
Delayed response times
Ongoing non-compliance by certain operators
A discretionary licence makes effective enforcement even more difficult.
Recent Gauteng Liquor Board Inquiry Findings
The MRA’s concerns are reinforced by the findings of the Gauteng Liquor Board Committee of Inquiry Report (2025).
The report identified:
Widespread governance failures
Weak and inconsistent enforcement capacity
Poor coordination between the GLB, municipalities and law enforcement
The proliferation of liquor outlets in residential areas
A growing culture of non-compliance and weak oversight
Critically, the inquiry found that:
Fewer than 20 inspectors are responsible for monitoring more than 33,000 licensed premises across Gauteng.
It also highlighted:
Unlawful or irregular licensing practices
Weak zoning enforcement
A breakdown in coordinated oversight
👉 In this context, granting a highly discretionary and open-ended licence in a residentially sensitive area is not aligned with the public interest.
4. Public Interest Consideration
In terms of Section 23 of the Gauteng Liquor Act, the Board must be satisfied that granting a licence is in the public interest.
Given:
Existing outlet saturation
Known enforcement challenges
Documented risks to residential areas
The MRA believes that this application does not meet the public interest test.
5. Zoning and Compliance
Residents are also requesting clarity on:
Whether the property complies with municipal zoning requirements
Whether the proposed use aligns with approved land use rights
This information should be transparent and available for public scrutiny.
Your Right to Object
Residents have the legal right to submit objections to the Gauteng Liquor Board.
📅 Deadline: 27 May 2026 (strict)
📧 Send objections to:
palesa.makhabane@gauteng.gov.za
📧 CC:
mra-liquor@ilovemelville.co.za
Important: Make Your Objection Count
Do not copy and paste identical text
Use your own words where possible
Include personal experiences or concerns
Be clear, respectful and factual
👉 Unique, individual objections carry more weight.
Key Message
This is not about opposing business activity in Melville.
It is about ensuring that:
The right type of licence is issued
The residential character of the suburb is protected
The City and Province act responsibly in a challenging enforcement environment
Further Reading
Final Reminder
⏳ Objections close on 27 May 2026
If you have concerns, this is your opportunity to ensure they are formally considered.
