All sales during lockdown prohibited
SEVERAL liquor traders and consumers have been arrested and are facing charges of the contravention of the National Disaster Management Act.
This is according to the Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism in the Northern Cape, who have reminded liquor traders that the sale of alcohol is prohibited during the 21-day lockdown period.
Department spokesperson, Ali Diteme, said that following the President’s proclamation of the state of disaster in South Africa in relation to the crisis posed by #Covid-19, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism reminded all liquor traders in the Northern Cape that all measures had been put in place to protect staff and customers against the spread of the infection and that these would be implement to the letter.
“We further wish to remind all residents and liquor traders that the sale of alcohol during the prescribed 21 days lockdown period, starting on 26 March 2020 from midnight is strictly prohibited. This includes illegal traders, who are selling from the back door.”
He stated that the directive would apply during the said period and the department had put measures in place, including working with the law enforcement agencies, to ensure full compliance.
“Thus far, a score of liquor traders and consumers have been arrested and are facing charges of the contravention of National Disaster Management Act 57/2002 and many others will face the same fate should they choose to ignore the directives,” Diteme said.
He added that the department was also looking at revoking or cancelling the trading licences of such traders.
“We call on all the traders to act responsibly and comply with these directives.
