Fears of increase in illicit trade in liquor following fresh ban
By Marvin Charles
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Cape Town - Less than a week into a fresh ban on the sale of alcohol, the liquor industry said it s seeing signs of a rise in the illicit trade.
According to the industry the public has been complying with the regulations however law enforcement needed to be more rigorous in dealing with illegal alcohol sales.
Convenor of the Liquor Traders Formations, Lucky Ntimane said: “Alcohol is being sold at ridiculously high prices, it’s happening and these prices are going to go up every week that we are closed.
Liquor council calls on government to allow off-premises alcohol sales to continue
By Philippa Larkin
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JOHANNESBURG - National Liquor Traders Council in a statement on the weekend called on the government to be allowed to continue the off-premises sale of alcohol.
The country reported 14000 new Covid-19 cases on December 23.
On Monday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa placed a ban on the sale of alcohol until at least mid-January as he announced a risk adjusted level 3 for the country.
The council said ahead of the ban being announced: A total shut-down of liquor sales would mean an end to the tavern market and the 250 000 direct jobs linked to the sector. Industry should be consulted on any restrictions.
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South Africa is considering reinstating a total ban on liquor sales as the number of Covid-19 infections surge over the summer holiday season, a person familiar with the discussions said.
Restrictions on alcohol sales have been implemented to various degrees since one of the world’s most stringent lockdowns was imposed in March, in part to lower hospital admissions from vehicle accidents and alcohol-related violence. Still, the government lost tax revenue as a result of an initial bar on any sales and liquor traders and bars fired workers.
The ban could start on Tuesday and last through 10 January, said the person, who requested anonymity because the information is not public and a final decision hasn’t been made.
Restrictions on alcohol sales have been implemented to various degrees since one of the world’s most stringent lockdowns was imposed in March, in part to lower hospital admissions from vehicle accidents and alcohol-related violence. Still, the government lost tax revenue as a result of the initial ban on any sales and liquor traders and bars fired workers.
The ban could start on Tuesday and last through Jan. 10, said the person, who requested anonymity because the information is not public and a final decision hasn’t been made.
South Africa had three record-breaking days of infections through Dec. 25, when it registered 14,796 new cases. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize a day earlier called for stricter measures to curb the spread, which has already battered the economy. The number of confirmed cases in the country passed 1 million on Sunday.
Consider our input on alcohol restrictions, traders plead with govt The alcohol sector is now worried stringent restrictions on the industry could deal a devastating blow on already struggling outlets. FILE: SAB beer crates are being gathered as the Fenyane Bottle store prepares for alcohol sales to resume on 18 August 2020. Picture: EWN.
88 days ago
JOHANNESBURG - With the COVID-19 pandemic mounting pressure on the country’s health system, liquor traders on Monday called on government to consider their inputs while some unions said there should be stricter regulations.
Speculation is rife that government will change its strategy in the fight against the pandemic after the country passed the agonising milestone of one million confirmed cases.