Sibani Mngadi, chairperson of Salba, said the drop in infections was good news for the country and provided government with an opportunity to urgently reverse its decision to prohibit alcohol sales.
“Available data does not back government’s argument that the current prohibition of sale of alcohol is being maintained to preserve the maximum capacity in the health system to handle a surge in Covid-19 admissions,” said Mngadi.“With the first two bans, alcohol excise tax contribution to government declined by more than 28% from R47bn in 2019/20 to R34bn in 2020/21.
“This R13bn loss in alcohol tax revenue could have easily compensated for the investment needed in procurement of vaccines and other measures needed to curb the impact of Covid-19 on our society,” added Mngadi. The industry said it has always sought ways to collaborate with the government to re-examine the reasons for banning alcohol and applying more effective alternative measures that address the issues of alcohol misuse while saving jobs.
Mngadi reiterated that the alcohol industry continues to seek a social compact with the government, industry and civil society to continue the sector’s vital economic activity, save businesses and jobs while ensuring its workers’ safety, and promote responsible trading and the sensible consumption of alcohol.
Loss of jobs commonly leads to loss of lives. Do these lives matter less? Lift the ban
The SAPoliceService is an organised crime syndicate that arrests restaurant employees for serving non alcoholic drinks while smuggling alcohol to their 'brothers and sisters' - - They also actively target white people and therefore are also utterly racist - - GET BENT, SA COPS!!
Behind every successful person there is alway a man/ woman trade with Charloteamelia7 is the woman behind my success story😘 thanks for giving me hope... Once again trade with Charloteamelia7 💯 guaranteed