Pinelands in Cape Town is one of the only suburbs in South Africa that has refused to have a single liquor store for over 100 years.
However, this long-standing and unique position is being challenged by a new Checkers development in the area.
The retailer has applied for a liquor licence, which has resulted in strong resistance from residents.
Pinelands is situated east of the Cape Town CBD and is known for being centrally located, with easy access to key parts of the city.
These include Century City, the V&A Waterfront, and Cape Town International Airport.
The suburb was established in 1920 and was the first garden city suburb in Africa, designed to promote a quiet, community-focused environment.
Residents have said this vision has shaped the suburb’s approach to alcohol for decades.
While there is no law banning alcohol sales in Pinelands, residents have consistently opposed liquor licence applications.
Over time, this has effectively kept the suburb “dry” when it comes to retail alcohol sales. The main concern is not drinking itself, but the impact of alcohol sold for consumption elsewhere.
The latest dispute centres on a new Checkers store being built on the corner of Bowlers Way and Howard Drive.
The retailer confirmed to the local Southern Suburbs Tatler that it applied for a liquor licence as part of its normal business operations.
The application is now under review, with the Western Cape Liquor Authority (WCLA) giving residents until the end of May to submit objections or support.
While residents are strongly opposed to the application, Ward 53 councillor Riad Davids said in an interview with CapeTalk that the backlash is being misunderstood.
“It’s not about the consumption of alcohol. It’s about the off-consumption sale of alcohol. The problem with off-consumption sales is that it brings a whole lot of other social problems with it,” he said.
There are consequences to having a liquor store
Davids pointed specifically to public drinking as a concern.
“The biggest one is drinking within the parking lot where people consume alcohol once they bought it because they can’t take it home or they want to hide it from their parents,” he said.
He also raised concerns about how close the proposed outlet would be to schools.
Pinelands High School is within 150 metres of where alcohol sales are going to take place, and the school has also written in opposition to it.
According to Davids, the issue is not just about maintaining tradition but about avoiding problems seen in other areas.
Referring to Fish Hoek, which lost its “dry” status, he said the consequences have been severe.
Quoting ward councillor Isabel Sherry, he highlighted concerns about “the increase of rough sleepers and easy access to two bottle stores, where drinking and drugs go hand in hand, which also increased crime in the area.”
“It’s comparing Fish Hoek before they had an off-consumption to now when they do; so this is more than just some sort of tradition.” He added that similar patterns are seen across Cape Town.
“If I speak to any of my 116 ward councillors, all of them will say that you don’t know what it’s like when you have an off-consumption sale within your area,” he said.
“It’s not my personal opinion. I have to look at the facts, and the facts are that where off-consumption sales happen, you have way more problems than if you don’t.”
Pinelands does allow alcohol to be served at restaurants and clubs, but Davids said this is different from retail sales.
“It’s not about on-consumption. All the restaurants in the areas you can go to, and you can consume on the premises. There’s a big difference,” he said.
This is not the first time a liquor licence has been challenged in the suburb. As far back as 1952, an application for a bottle store at Howard Centre was dropped after opposition.
Other attempts over the years—including proposals involving other major retailers and even a bar at a local sports club—were also abandoned following community pushback.
Davids said residents are simply asking Checkers to respect this history.
“All we’re asking Checkers is to do the same and honour Pinelands position on off-consumption sales,” he said.
The final decision for Checkers’ application will follow the formal review process, which includes input from residents, community groups, police and the municipality.
However, based on past experience, residents are expected to strongly defend Pinelands’ long-standing position.
Photos of Pinelands
