The Buffalo City metropolitan municipality in the Eastern Cape is calling on liquor outlets to act responsibly following the resumption of alcohol sales. This after a disturbing video emerged from a business in the city showing total disregard of COVID-19 regulations.
Municipality’s full statement below:
The municipality is urging businesses to put lives over profit, adding that license regulators of such outlets should take action against businesses that are breaking the law.
Liquor industry welcomes partial lifting of alcohol ban:
The municipality’s Samkelo Ngwenya says, “The command council is going to meet tomorrow to evaluate some of these disturbing emergences, the regulations are very clear about on-site consumption of alcohol, the times that are permitted as well as issues that talk to protocol about venue capacity as well as practicing of protocols that are related to this. We are very encouraged by businesses and churches that are responsible but we are also very much concerned about the ones that we have picked up reports that they are transgressing the law.”
More than 40 drunk drivers arrested in Johannesburg
Meanwhile, Law Enforcement Agencies in Johannesburg have arrested more than 40 drunken drivers since the latest ban on the sale of alcohol was lifted last week. Police together with the Johannesburg Metro Police conducted Operation O Kae Molao to enforce compliance with the Disaster Management Act.
Johannesburg Metro Police spokesperson, Wayne Minnaar, says motorists who drink and drive will be dealt with.
“Motorists are urged not to drive after consuming alcohol as drunken drivers who get arrested and more drunken driving operations will be conducted. Blood samples of drunken drivers will be taken and they will have to be detained at police stations.”
– Additional reporting by Ditaba Tsotetsi.
