Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on Another Booze Ban: "It's Not Inconceivable"
- Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has said that another alcohol ban is not completely off the cards for South Africans
- The minister recently filed an affidavit in the Western Cape High court following an ongoing legal battle with the SAB
- While the ban on the sale of alcohol has been lifted, the SAB has said that it is and was unconstitutional, something which Dlamini-Zuma does not agree with
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Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma continues to stand her ground about the liquor ban which has been ailing the South African liquor industry since it was first introduced in 2020 after the country went into lockdown.
While the ban has currently lifted, Dlamini-Zuma headed to the Western Cape High Court to get an affidavit after the SAB accused the presidency of breaching the constitutional rights of South Africans and liqor companies when they banned the sale of alcohol.
According to Dlamini-Zuma, the constitutional rights of South African citizens are of utmost importance to the government, which is why another ban on the sale of alcohol is "not inconceivable" depending on the circumstances in the country at the time.
She also added that the ban was never meant to cause harm to South African liquor companies or of course consumers of alcohol, but rather, an act to avoid the loss of lives, which statistics show, the sale of alcohol during the lockdown has greatly contributed to, reports a News24 article.
Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, locals have had this to say about Dlamini-Zuma's statement:
@JaimeLeighsDad said:
"It seems Gov will never win the battle against alcohol because they give imbibers and illegal sellers enough preparation time to stock up more and come back stronger each time. At some stage banning alcohol is really not going to assist in any wave. Not well thought out at all."
@ValeryHutchins4 said:
"Place a higher tax on alcohol. With that extra money government can employ more Dr and nurses. Therefore creating more jobs and saving jobs in the industry. Place higher punishment on people caught drinking and driving or irresponsible. Think out the box Save our beloved country"
@ashwill_louw said:
"Please fight the so-called alleged corruption with the same intensity and commitment you claim to impose lockdown rules and regulations and whatever amendment to the amendments act of CORONA2020 and COVID-19"
@Mageu93045060 said:
"I think NDZ must try early curfew and not ban alcohol so that we can compare the statistics when people are drinking at home...of hoe bafwethu?"
Briefly.co.za previously reported that healthcare and medical professionals of South Africa have called for regulations to be added following the lifting of the country's third alcohol ban, including a higher alcohol tax.
As South Africa's hospitals continue to be put under pressure due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the new strains of the virus, the alcohol ban's lift adds to the overload the institutions are dealing with.
The Sunday Times spoke to a number of doctors and members of the medical faculty and they expressed suggestions on how to limit the number of hospitalisations that the country sees solely because of alcohol consumption and abuse.
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Source: Briefly News
