EFF welcomes the decision to continue the alcohol ban to combat the spread and impact of Covid-19
17 April 2020
The EFF welcomes the announcement by the President to continue the ban on the sale of alcohol during the extended period of the lockdown to combat the spread and impact of Covid-19. The President must be commended for not succumbing to the demands of greed which were in essence sponsored by white-monopoly giants in alcohol production. It is a rational, scientific and humane decision to take and is in the greater interest of the livelihood of South Africans.
The EFF has consistently maintained that the calls to resume the sale of alcohol under lockdown conditions were profit driven and not considerate of the sanctity of human life. To sell alcohol which is a proven factor in social disobedience and disorder would put a strain on law enforcement agencies, health care infrastructure and negatively impact the health of consumers as alcohol diminishes the strength of one's immune system.
Furthermore, all sectors of society are feeling the negative economic impacts of the national lockdown and to concede to the demands of the alcohol industry would open a Pandora's box of appeals from all businesses and render efforts to curb the spread of the virus useless.
The alcohol sector, like all sectors must seek economic relief from the availed govemment relief programs and put pressure on government to develop an effective economic stimulus package if their concerns are genuinely in the interests of those in their employ.
The President's resolution on this matter must also apply to the sale, production and export of wine by the Stellenbosch wine lobby, which through Rupert had gained inexplicable rights to continue operations.
All business must be subject to the same laws and regulations and proximity to government must not make lobbies of capital exempt from the rule of law.
Should the Gauteng Liquor Forum continue with its court process to oppose the regulation on alcohol sales, the EFF will avail its own legal team to defend a regulation which is in the interest of human life.
Issued by Vuyani Pambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 17 April 2020
