Premier Mabuyane urges government to ban alcohol sale in the Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape government has written to the national government, requesting it to prohibit the sale of
alcohol in the province.

This after several incidents including crime and traffic incidents were attributed to alcohol abuse since the country moved to alert level three of the lockdown regulations.

In the video below, President Ramaphosa announces that alcohol will be sold under strict conditions:

The Eastern Cape Premier’s spokesperson, Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha, says the decision has been taken to reduce the number of coronavirus infections, as the province has a high number of incidents of non-compliance.

“This decision is made to reduce infections and protect the lives of our people. The province is expecting a conversation with national government on this matter to have a decision that will benefit all of us. The government welcomes the work that is done by traders of alcohol beverages that comply with the regulations, and it further welcomes the work of the police to enforce these regulations at all times. We are appealing to the people of the province to stop abusing alcohol and to continue working together with us, to prevent the spread of the virus,” explains Sicwetsha.

Alcohol abuse

Over the weekend, several video clips of youngsters partying went viral on social media despite government advice that people should observe social distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

This prompted many calls form some people urging government to bring back the ban of alcohol.

The @DBE_SA opening schools but yet these kids were having fun yesterday night in P.E ,Zwide Kwa Lamani Garage..hugging and drinking alcohol..@CyrilRamaphosa why uthule my President??..i won’t be surprised if all of them infected each other after this “festive” #schoolsreopening pic.twitter.com/IQ5k9dEgMJ

— Simphiwe Dulwana (@Cmpra_Dee) June 7, 2020

Currently, the province has 127 Covid-19 deaths, 6 341 infections and 2 666 recoveries.

Another video of police arresting youngsters in King William’s Town during a house party, did the rounds on social media.

This house party in King William’s Town, Eastern Cape didn’t end very well. Police pounced ok them. ?? pic.twitter.com/pDNceVjEOx

— Musa Mathebula (@musamathebulaa) June 7, 2020