President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to make an announcement soon on what measures will be implemented to curb infections, with many speculating that a liquor ban is on the cards. The liquor industry has said while they were open to the amendment of restrictions to save lives; they cannot afford, nor will they accept another …

The Alcohol Industry, in particular, Maluti Mountain Brewery (MMB) says, hundreds of jobs are on the line if the government implements the 15 percent alcohol levy recommended by Finance Minister Moeketsi Majoro now Prime Minister in his 2020/21 budget speech. Dr Majoro said the levy on alcohol and tobacco would boost government revenues by at …

The Covid-19 pandemic might have caused widespread devastation for South Africans from all walks of life but for Daniel Campbell (not his real name) the novel coronavirus presented him with the perfect opportunity to kick his excessive drinking habits. “I am ashamed to admit this but I would drink about five days a week and …

The issue of permissible driver blood alcohol concentration (BAC) came in for special attention during the first day of the Portfolio Committee on Transport’s public hearings into the National Road Traffic Amendment (NRTA) Bill. A number of organisations made oral submissions on the bill, including the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the …

Non-profit group Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) has thrown its support behind the government’s proposed drunk driving rules, but has warned that the regulations will need to be adapted to avoid wrongful convictions. The changes are included as part of amendments to the National Road Traffic Act which are currently being debated in parliament. …

Just days after the unbanning of alcohol and easing of the curfew, paramedics have had their hands full with trauma cases resulting from car accidents. Best Care ambulance spokesperson Xander Loubser said motorists needed to be responsible. “I want to remind the public that Covid-19 still exists. “It seems like there are people who are …

The phrase ‘throats are open’ may well be true now for many South Africans, following the easing of alcohol sale restrictions under lockdown level 1. However, advocates of alcohol policy reforms say the elephant in the room – the country’s binge-drinking problem – is still being ignored. This, they say, constitutes a missed opportunity by …

Cape Town – There have been mixed reactions to the easing of restrictions on the sale and trade of alcohol under the return to alert Level 1 regulations. Alcohol can now be sold according to normal liquor licence provisions, except during the new curfew hours of midnight to 4am. The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance …

The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance SA (SAAPA SA) has noted the decision by Cabinet to move the country from Level 3 to Level 1 and to allow all liquor outlets to operate as normal, subject only to the curfew and the ongoing prohibition on the opening of nightclubs.  This effectively means that we have …

The alliance is questioning whether allowing alcohol sales to resume as normal is wise with several public holidays coming up. The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance has reacted to the latest easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, warning government may have moved too quickly. The alliance is on Monday questioning whether allowing alcohol sales to resume …