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
Liquor Traders Formation requests urgent meeting with Ramaphosa
The Liquor Traders Formation, which represents township-based liquor traders including taverns, has requested an urgent meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss ending the third alcohol sales ban currently in place.
“Our call to the President is to immediately convene a meeting with the alcohol industry with a view to unbanning alcohol and allow normalcy to return to the lives and livelihoods of the liquor traders, their families and the 250,000 workers dependent on the tavern sector can resume. We believe that it is through a collaborative effort with government that innovative ways to support the health sector and our heroes, frontline workers could be found that a balance is struck that will ensure that livelihoods are preserved and lives are saved as move forward as a country, said Lucky Ntimane, convener of the Liquor Traders Formation.
The National Liquor Traders Council and Liquor Traders Association of South Africa have called for financial assistance from government for tavern and shebeen permit holders to the value of R20 000 per outlet.
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South Africa is on its third alcohol ban since the outbreak of Covid-19 last year, following the country’s unprecedented rise in cases and concerns that hospital beds would be filled up by alcohol related trauma cases.
The alcohol industry has bemoaned the bans, calling for off-premises alcohol trading in order to protect livelihoods.
The country’s taverns and shebeens employ 250 000 people out of the 415 000 livelihoods the industry accounts for and 165 000 people have already lost their jobs across the industry
South Africa’s wine producers and liquor traders
have slammed the government’s extension of the ban on the sale of alcohol,
By Janice Kew
(Bloomberg) – Anheuser-Busch InBev’s South African division will challenge the country’s ban on alcohol sales in court, saying the measure to contain the coronavirus is unconstitutional.
SA Breweries, which makes popular lagers including Castle Lite, Hansa and Carling Black Label, supports a reduction in trading times, but sees a prohibition as “beyond what is reasonable and necessary,” according to a statement on Wednesday. The Johannesburg-based unit argues the decision restricts rights including freedom to trade and human dignity, it said.
The legal action comes about 10 days after President Cyril Ramaphosa banned alcohol sales for a third time in response to a resurgence in Covid-19 cases. The move is partly designed to ease the burden on hospitals from vehicle accidents and drinking-related violence, while discouraging large social gatherings that can accelerate the spread of the virus.