Tavern owners in the Nelson Mandela Bay region say they are losing millions of rands due to Level four lockdown regulations imposed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. On the other hand, black market traders of alcohol are mushrooming despite strict restrictions.
They say, the new regulations under Level four have had major setbacks on their businesses and they are struggling to feed their families.
One of the tavern owners in the Nelson Mandela Bay region, Zat Ndima, raised a number of concerns.
“There are 34 500 liquor trader licenses in South Africa, they are worth between R40 to R60 billion in liquor sales, illegal traders or black market is worth millions of rands. That money is supposed to go through licensed liquor traders.”
South Africa’s alcohol industry calls for a lift on sales ban:
In June, the National Liquor Traders Council (NLTC) warned that some industry members are considering defying the recent ban on the sale of alcohol, saying employees need to earn an income to support their families.
NTLC convenor Lucky Ntimane says, “The President can make an announcement that subjects our liquor traders to almost perpetual poverty without providing other means that are going to cushion against the blow that this ban is going to bring to our traders. We feel that it is unfair that the industry continues to be targeted this way.”
“We are not going to let this decision by the President stand. We are going to take him on, we are going to consult with our members today. If needs be, it means we will defy this ban. Who is going to support us for the next two weeks? What is better? Breaking the law for supporting our families? For us, we feel that we need to be taken seriously and we will do that, and whatever is necessary,” explains Ntimane.
Earlier, the Beer Association of South Africa (BASA) expressed disappointment over Cabinet’s banning of the sale of alcohol.
