Politicians support dop ban
|Published
CHAOS: 17 liquor stores looted in the Western Cape CHAOS: 17 liquor stores looted in the Western Cape
Political parties have taken a united stand to oppose calls by the liquor industry for the government to lift its ban on the sale of alcohol during the nationwide lockdown which President Cyril Ramaphosa has now extended by two weeks.
The African Christian Democratic Party has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa not to “pander” to the demands of the Gauteng Liquor Forum and urged him to rather focus on the key industries that could help the country’s ailing economy.
ACDP Deputy President Wayne Thring said that many incidents of gender-based violence were also alcohol related and that law-enforcement officials who dealt with the aftermath of alcohol abuse incidents could corroborate this.
This comes after the forum, which claims to represent 20 000 shebeen and tavern owners, wrote to Ramaphosa demanding that he lift the ban on the sale and movement of alcohol and threats of legal action if this demand was not met.
The forum had given Ramaphosa until the end of business yesterday to make a decision.
PRESSURE: Cyril Ramaphosa
But a letter from Ramaphosa’s state legal representative to the forum asked them to postpone any legal action until Friday as the National Command Council was set to deliberate concerns that had been raised due to the ban on the sale of alcohol.
At least 17 liquor stores have been looted in the Western Cape since the lockdown
started.
The forum’s call has been criticised by political parties who said the unbanning of liquor sales would undermine efforts to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus in the country.
EFF spokesperson Vuyani Pambo said the alcohol sales during the war against Covid-19 in communities with historic social problems only served one purpose, “to finish our people off”.