Alcohol ban
Study: 55% of participants bought alcohol illegally during lockdown
Data published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found heavy episodic drinkers consumed more alcohol than usual, despite...
One of the three points argued is that provinces, not the national government, should decide whether or not to impose liquor restrictions.
The sector on Tuesday said as they moved towards the peak trading period, they were confronted with a possibility of a fourth wave, which would no doubt disrupt their business activities.
South African Liquor Brand Owners Association said they couldn't understand government's decision prohibiting off-consumption sales on weekends.
Vinpro is taking on authorities over the curbs, which it argues is damaging the sector.
The matter against government's restriction on alcohol sales will be heard in the Western Cape High Court from Monday until Thursday.
The SAPS members together with a former police captain are also charged with corruption and defeating the ends of justice for buying liquor from a suspect who’d been taken into custody.
The industry said it was urgently requesting a review by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cabinet to relax restrictions.
On Sunday night, the president announced relaxed lockdown regulations that allow the sale of alcohol for off-site consumption between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Thursday.
The alcohol industry has said the fourth alcohol ban has resulted in about 200,000 jobs being affected and a R1.5 billion revenue loss for the country.
CEO Pieter Boone has been visiting damaged stores, warehouses and distribution centres in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng this week.
Bodies including the Beer Association of South Africa, the Liquor Traders Association of South Africa and VINPRO want sales to resume to prevent a total collapse of the industry and a further boost to the illicit industry.
The Beer Association of South Africa wants to see the data and evidence on which the National Coronavirus Command Council has based its decision to extend the fourth alcohol sales ban.
The industries are among the hardest hit and were slowly trying to pick up again when the COVID-19 third wave swept through the country.
Many argued that they cannot survive for much longer and with the COVID-19 infection rate continuing to surge, the president looks set to extend lockdown.
Due to government’s insistence to ban alcohol sales as part of the COVID-19 regulations, she has had little to no income and has called an end to her business.
She said the economy was taking strain, but the department would first ensure that vulnerable households get food.
According to the association, the illicit trade cost the economy R11 billion last year. It said one million jobs were at stake across the beer industry's value chain.
The sale of alcohol for off-site consumption has also been adjusted and is now permitted between 10 am and 6 pm from Monday to Thursday.