06 Oct 2025

Minister of Entrepreneurship and Trade, Mr Tiroeaone Ntsima says the concerns regarding alcohol sale and consumption is a cross cutting matter that require collaborative effort, hence ongoing public consultation on Liquor Amendment Bill.

Speaking during the consultative meeting on the review of the Liquor Act in Francistown on Friday, Minister Ntsima said the bill was close to many people therefore important for every Motswana to have an opportunity to present their proposed changes.

Mr Ntsima noted that the review of the Liquor Act was envisaged to provide guidance on the best possible way to regulate the liquor industry and other matters related to.

In this regard, he said his Ministry consulted various stakeholders and came up with a draft of the Liquor Amendment bill of 2025, which seek to address challenges identified during implementation of the current act.He noted that currently, the Liquor Act prohibits the issuance of new liquor licenses to bars, club, discotheque and night clubs in premises which were less than 500 meters away from schools, highways, major roads and churches.

However, the bill considers the possibility of reducing the current distance of 500 meters to 250 meters between a liquor outlet and schools, highways, major roads and churches.

As for noise pollution generated by the liquor stores such as bars, clubs and depots, disrupting peace and tranquility, Mr Ntsima said the bill propose to introduce sound proofing as a mandatory requirement in liquor outlets that play music to their patrons.

Mr Ntsima said the other challenge with the current Act, was that there was continuous non-compliance by liquor outlets and consumers, emanating from the existing low penalties, hence the need to increase them.

He said some of the proposed changes to the act was the introduction of online liquor license, strict measure to those who sell alcohol to underage, advertising alcohol in prohibited areas, commercialising traditional beers, trading hours and places of drinking.

Mr Tera Issac suggested that the bill should be considerate of operating hours, as allowing bars and clubs to operate 24 hours, disadvantage those operating depots.

Mr Fanyana Mapete acknowledged the issue of compelling liquor outlets that play music to be sound proof, adding that the bill must consider hiring of DJs who played loud music in opening space. ENDS