The South Africa beer ban debate continues to make headlines as the presidency of South Africa has given the Gauteng Liquor Forum up to Friday to respond to their request of lifting the ban on liquor during the lockdown period.
The presidency wrote a letter to the Gauteng Liquor Forum advising them that they have noted their demand to have the beer ban removed or altered during the lockdown period. The Gauteng Liquor Forum is representative a group of liquor dealers and manufacturers in the Gauteng province.
South Africans are optimistic that the beer ban will be removed or amended.
South Africans are optimistic that the ban will be lifted as the presidency’s appears to be softening their stance on beer. The presidency is also addressing economic issues by allowing more companies to produce.
Mining companies are resuming operations
Other mining companies such as Impala Platinum have been allowed to continue operations to avoid bringing the economy to its knees. South Africans can only hope that beer manufacturers be allowed to operate too.
Breakings
The South Africa beer ban has also caused problems to the security forces and also to liquor dealers. South Africans have been breaking into shops mainly Spar Tops shops to steal liquor. Tops Glenwood in Cape Town was broken into and liquor worth thousands of rands was looted. It is also reported that the South Africa Zimbabwe border fence was destroyed by South Africans who were going to buy liquor and cigarettes from Zimbabwe.
Western Cape government’s order to life alcohol and cigarette ban
The Western Cape government once lifted the beer and cigarette ban but they were swiftly ordered to reverse it as they did not have powers to change the lockdown regulations. They had classified alcohol and cigarettes as essential goods.
Extension of lockdown
South Africans are fearing that another lockdown extension is looming and those addicted by tobacco and alcohol are in a difficult position.