Angry alcohol consumers and traders are again up in arms over the latest liquor sales ban, saying they are being punished for the sins of a few.
Their cries follow President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement last week that the adjusted Covid-19 Level 3 lockdown regulations would be extended until 15 February.
In December, Ramaphosa said the rise of Covid-19 infections was fuelled by super-spreaders, including end-of-year functions, social gatherings, as well as music and cultural events.
“We have now let down our guard, and unfortunately, we are now paying the price,” he said, adding that hand sanitisers were not being used, and masks were being worn to gain entry and were then taken off.
Gloria Motsoeneng, 24, from Sebokeng in Gauteng, said the dop ban was not fair to law-abiding citizens, reports Sunday Independent.
“The law must deal with those neglecting the rules so that they don’t disobey the law,” she said.
Another consumer, Thabiso Kotokwane, 34, from Evaton in the Vaal, said his family depended on selling liquor to survive: “Why can’t they close the country, but allow us to sell alcohol as takeaways?”
But Moferere Masheane from Vanderbijlpark said: “Ramaphosa did well because people refused to listen and were flooding to the taverns. There was no social distancing and most didn’t even bother to wear masks.”
Kgabisang Letsela said: “I think he must add more (lockdown) Levels so the medical facilities can handle the inflow.”
SA Breweries (SAB) said it would challenge the ban in court: “The damage to the South African economy and impact on the alcohol value chain arising from the ban on the sale of alcohol is, in SAB’s view, disproportionate and unlawful.”