ROB ROSE: End in sight to beach and booze ban but it’ll be too late for some Perhaps it is little surprise that SA has now been ranked the second-worst country to live in during the pandemic 01 February 2021 - 08:00 Jobs Save Lives are written on the walls of the Spier train station in Stellenbosch to bring awareness to the plight of the industry. Picture: ESA ALEXANDER/SUNDAY TIMES
While insiders say that President Cyril Ramaphosa is likely to reopen beaches and allow alcohol to be sold again in the next few days, it may not be in time to save many tourism companies.
Government s fault or bullying Eight reactions to SAB suspending 550 employee contracts DA leader John Steenhuisen has blamed government for 550 job loses at SA Breweries. Image: Veli Nhlapo
DA leader John Steenhuisen was one of many who reacted to the news that SA Breweries (SAB) has suspended the contracts of more than 500 temporary workers due to the ongoing ban on the sales and distribution of alcohol.
At the weekend, SAB told BusinessLIVE the contracts of 550 temporary workers were suspended with immediate effect while the ban continues.
Affected staff received their last payment on Friday and will receive no income during the suspension of their contracts, including from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) as they are contract workers.
Mkhize’s statement comes as many liquor industry players, including SA Breweries, the Liquor Traders Formation and Craft Brewers Association SA, have called for the ban to be lifted, citing that it was causing financial devastation.
Proposals have been made to the government to lift the ban on liquor sales and distribution under level 3 lockdown.
On social media, users aired their frustrations about the liquor ban, with many saying it was “unjustifiable”.
Here is a snapshot of some reactions:
So here’s a question. Instead of a blanket ban of alcohol. If you were The President of South Africa what you do to limit alcohol related trauma amidst a pandemic? Bubbles Hyland (@wellredwinemag) January 19, 2021
Restaurants lay bare their realities in SAB s fight against booze ban 20 January 2021 - 06:30 By Franny Rabkin Several restaurants have laid bare in court papers the difficulties they are having because of the clampdown on alcohol sales. Image: 123RF/BRENT HOFACKER
Popular Johannesburg eatery The Local Grill will be unable to keep its doors open beyond the end of January if the alcohol ban continues, its owner Steven Maresch said in court papers on Tuesday.
Maresch’s affidavit is one of five supplementary affidavits that have been added to the court case brought by South African Breweries (SAB), challenging the alcohol ban imposed on December 29 under the amended level 3 lockdown regulations.