The liquor industry in South Africa has called for the alcohol ban to be lifted while calling on government to urgently meet with them and discuss the impact of last week's riots on the industry.
The liquor industry said over
160 liquor outlets and distribution centres were looted and damaged during
violent and deadly riots in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng last week, as thousands
of people looted shops and caused damage to infrastructure worth billions of
rand.
The Beer Association of South
Africa (BASA) chief executive Patricia Pillay said it was calling on government
to lift the alcohol ban, saying a continued ban worth threaten the livelihoods
of over a million people who are supported by the industry.
The alcohol industry said the
ban had caused jobs to bleed, such as at Aegir Brewery, which had initially
been able to employ up to 60 people and open a restaurant but was forced to
retrench 12 people as a direct consequence of the ban.
Those who remained on the
companies’ books were now on short time and short pay. The industry said it had chosen to go public
after making numerous failed attempts to meet with the minister.
by Everngelista Muza
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