WATCH: Locals revel in reopening of liquor, cigarette sales

The day for the reopening of liquor outlets finally arrived on August 18, which saw alcohol lovers quenching their thirst for the first time after six weeks of no alcohol.

This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that liquor outlets will be allowed to sell alcohol for off-site consumption from Monday to Thursday during the hours of 9am to 5pm only.

Restrictions on the sale of tobacco were also lifted. In Boksburg, residents were in high spirits as they rushed to various liquor outlets from as early as 8.30am to stock up on their favourite liquor brands.

The Advertiser visited Dog Box Hyper Wholesale Liquor situated in Trichardts Road and TOPS at SPAR situated on the corner of Commissioner and Kruger streets and found there was no chaos of people panic-buying, although the liquor stores where busy.

According to Marco Rodrigues, manager of Dog Box Hyper, it was a busy morning but they were happy that they are back in business.

“I’m pleased with the president’s decision to move the country to Level 2 because it will help to save jobs,” he said.

He highlighted that 11 staff members at the store were negatively impacted by the lockdown.

One of the relieved customers found at Dog Box Hyper, De Wet van Greunen, said he was there to stock up on alcohol for a pub he manages in Boksburg North.

He shared with the Advertiser that the ban has affected his livelihood because the business is his bread and butter.

Another business owner, based in Atlas Road, Sathish Kollar Govindan, also came through to stock up on alcohol for his business.

One the workers at the store, Jabulani Khumalo, said he was happy to be back at work after weeks of no pay. “I couldn’t pay rent or provide for my family,” Khumalo said.

Meanwhile, at TOPS the store manager, Bronwyn Marian, said by 8.30am customers were already queuing. “The store has been busy and we’re still expecting an influx of customers during the day,” she added.

Liza Aires, of Nelson’s Hideaway Pub & Grill in Beyers Park, was also spotted at TOPS.

The Gauteng Liquor Forum has called on liquor stores and the public to act responsibly. It warned that if outlets don’t keep strict measures, the prohibition could return.

Smokers

While the Advertiser was at TOPS around 10am, the store’s cigarette shelves were still empty, as they were waiting for stock to be delivered.

The Advertiser also spotted scores of happy Boksburg residents having a puff.

One of them was Stephen Ndlovu, who said he was relieved he can now buy legit cigarettes at a normal price.

Another smoker, Carol Coetzee, was also over the moon about the tobacco ban being lifted.

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