Alcohol restrictions

Photo: Unsplash

SA warned about attempts to sneak-in ‘radical’ new alcohol restrictions

Could the next set of alcohol restrictions prove to be the toughest? One shadow minister is concerned about possible changes to Mzansi’s liquor policy.

Alcohol restrictions

Photo: Unsplash

On the same day leading liquor industry figures issued a plea to the President about resisting further bans on booze, the Shadow Trade Minister has chosen to lash out at certain lobby groups – for allegedly trying to introduce ‘more radical alcohol restrictions’ for South Africa. Dean Macpherson is livid with proposals that were submitted last week.

SAPAA’s proposed alcohol restrictions cause a stir

The SA Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) suggested a number of interventions, targeting a crackdown on alcohol advertisements and ‘special deals’. While lockdown is still in force, extended curfews and 18:00 bar closures were also put forward by the group. Their framework proved to be highly divisive, and it has set alarm bells ringing within the DA.

Macpherson now fears that pandemic-inspired legislative changes will ‘sneak-in’, under current State of Disaster laws.

“We note the radical proposals from SAAPA, to make amendments to various pieces of legislation without any public participation process or oversight from Parliament. Any changes to legislation such as those proposed must only be done through a legislative process, not through the back door of an illogical and irrational ongoing State of Disaster.”

“It has become far too easy for the government to target the liquor industry than to fix the collapsing healthcare system. Government is also more than welcome to put back on the table the Liquor Amendment Bill which has gathered dust under two successive Ministers. Then we can deal with any proposals put through by lobby groups.”

Liquor outlets plead for cooperation from President Ramaphosa

National Liquor Traders Council (NLTC) conveynor, Lucky Ntimane said the council and the Liquor Traders Association of South Africa (LTASA) sent a joint letter to the president on Sunday. The organisations called to meet with Ramaphosa, arguing that any future alcohol ban should – at the very least – have a clear end date to the trading restrictions.

“We can still fight COVID-19 with a less negative impact on our economy. In our case, liquor traders, can continue to operate, subject to fully complying with safe operating standards, in a way that was not always possible previously. Where restrictions in economic activity are required, these should be clearly explained with clear end dates.”