Cele in favour of reinstating alcohol ban

‘If I were given the opportunity to decide alone on the matter, my first prize would be to ban alcohol.’

These were the sentiments of Police Minister Bheki Cele during a working visit to Durban yesterday (Thursday).

ALSO READ: 20 to 30 murder cases reported per day since Level 3 – Cele

He believes the increase in violent crime such as stabbings, as well as car accidents, since the beginning of Level 3 of the lockdown, are alcohol-related.

‘People know my stance. It’s no coincidence that crime increased after the ban on alcohol was lifted.

‘It’s not just the murder rate, either. There have been horrific car crashes and shootings influenced by alcohol,’ Cele said.

‘We’ve got doctors complaining about too many people turning up injured in trauma centres, all caused by drinking.

‘This is a serious matter, but I’m sure it will be discussed between the National Coronavirus Command Centre (NCCC) and the cabinet.’

Cele’s comments came on the same day that the Cabinet announced there would be some adjustments to the current Level 3 regulations.

Level 3 is likely to last longer than Levels 4 and 5, and the government has been requested to meet the public halfway by easing some of the restrictions.

Along with leading ministers, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday discussed how certain regulations could be eased in a responsible manner.

At the virtual meeting, issues including alcohol, hairdressing salons and even the easing of some social restrictions were discussed, but nothing would be confirmed before the end of next week.

While Wednesday’s virtual meeting sought to discuss the easing of certain restrictions, the sale of alcohol remains in the balance.

Earlier this week, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane urged the president to reconsider the sale of alcohol.

Other premiers, including KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala and Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, echoed these sentiments, with Winde saying the abuse of alcohol is ‘taking away hospital beds from those who need it’.

‘Every single one of us has a role to play in making sure our health system has the capacity to respond. Please drink responsibly and play your part.

‘If this doesn’t happen, we will have no choice but to explore alternative steps,’ said Winde.

Zikalala said: ‘After the introduction of alert Level 3, we noted the sudden increase in the numbers of accidents reported, many of them associated with drinking and driving.’

While nothing is official as yet, reinstating the alcohol ban appears to be on the agenda for next week’s cabinet discussions.

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