Alcohol Ban: Transportation of Booze Is Allowed During Temp Ban

Friday, April 02, 2021 at 7:59 AM by Reeshni Chetty

- Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was reportedly wrong about the temporary ban on alcohol transportation

- The Minister's spokesperson revealed that the transportation of alcohol is allowed during the off-site purchase temporary ban

- This follows the Minister's announcement during a press briefing that no alcohol may be transported during this time

PAY ATTENTION: Join Briefly News' Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!

It turns out that alcohol can be transported over the Easter period. Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma announced on Thursday during a media briefing that alcohol may not be transported over the long weekend's temporary ban.

Dlamini-Zuma went so far as to say that police officers will be conducting roadblocks to ensure that alcohol is not being transported. This seems to have been a mistake on the part of the Minister.

Reports say that her spokesperson, Lungi Mtshali, said that there was no ban on the transportation of liquor during this period. He added that the ban only extends to the off-site purchasing of alcohol.

Read also

Drones and body cameras to be instituted for traffic officers in SA

Alcohol Ban: Transportation of Booze Is Allowed During Temp Ban — Alcohol is allowed to be transported during the temporary booze ban in SA. Image: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg
Source: Getty Images

According to TimesLIVE, Mtshali stated that the regulations had not been amended since they were published on 30 March. Two separate lawyers spoke to the publication before the backtrack. One revealed that there is 'never law' in a Minister's press conference.

A report by EWN revealed that Lucky Ntimane, the National Liquor Traders Council's National Convener, stated that the alcohol regulations simply do not speak about the transportation of alcohol.

Minister Dlamini-Zuma stated on Thursday that roadblocks would be conducted, however, Mtshali cleared the air. According to the spokesperson, there is no risk of alcohol being confiscated during the temporary ban.

The report continued by saying that Mtshali spoke about there being no risk of alcohol being confiscated during transportation over the Easter period.

Previously, Briefly.co.za reported that on-site alcohol consumption is still allowed through the ban period but is only allowed until 11pm. This means that bars and restaurants will be allowed to run as normal with alcohol sales and consumption.