WHEN the President announced last week that the country would move to alert level 2 of the lockdown to allow for more reopening of the economy, many South Africans saw this as a positive sign that we are making progress in efforts to contain the Coronavirus.
The President reminded the country to continue to exercise the greatest caution and care during alert level 2 and to remain ever-vigilant.
Tragically, the positive progress that the country has been making towards containing the spread of Covid-19 is being dampened by reports of alcohol abuse, recklessness and terrible vehicle crashes and fatalities on the roads.
Phumla Williams, Government Spokesperson, said the recent spate of fatal accidents following the reopening of liquor sales is a cause for concern.
Williams said it cannot be acceptable that three Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) officers are among the people who died in alcohol-related vehicle accidents that occurred in Gauteng this past weekend.
“As verified by the police, 740 suspects, including two police officers have been arrested for drinking and driving,” said Williams.
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“While many South Africans are responsible in their use of alcohol, government and society cannot sit idle while lives are being destroyed as a result of alcohol abuse and binge drinking. We have noticed that some people do not abide by alert level 2 regulations which place restrictions on gathering and we urge law enforcement authorities to play their role in bringing the culprits to book,” Williams said.
In the midst of a pandemic, Williams said it cannot be acceptable that health-care workers in hospitals have to deal with high numbers of cases at the trauma units as a result of alcohol.
“Although the government is committed to address societal issues such as alcohol abuse and the carnage on our roads, ultimately, these issues are everybody’s responsibility. Government calls on all South Africans to promote responsible alcohol use and road safety in the country, and further appeals to the liquor industry to strengthen current efforts with government that aim to curb the scourge of alcohol abuse,” she said.
Williams said alcohol abuse is also often at the heart of contact crimes which include murder, attempted murder, sexual offences, assault resulting in grievous bodily harm, common assault, and robbery.
“Some families risk being totally destroyed because of the extent of alcohol abuse, it is estimated that around 70 per cent of domestic violence is associated with alcohol.”
Williams said law enforcement agencies are urged to do their part through visible enforcement, but more importantly, government urged road users, especially drivers, to take extra care and exercise utmost vigilance on the road.
“We welcome the call from the Police Minister Bheki Cele for police to be tough on alcohol consumption and driving,” concluded Williams.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za). At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
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