Since dagga-smoking was legalised by the Constitutional Court in 2018, very strange and bizarre things have been engulfing our country. Very strange behaviour and weird disorders are assuming a new predominance in our society.
Since president Cyril Ramaphosa placed our country under lockdown as from 26 March, some citizens have been conducting themselves very strangely. In a brave effort to combat the spread of the deadly Coronavirus, the president has banned the sale or buying of any alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. Nationwide lockdown regulations only permit essential services employees to report for duty at their workplaces. Liquor stores, restaurants, industrial firms, academic institutions and other trades are closed as per the lockdown decrees.
Consequently, a group calling itself Gauteng Liquor Forum (GLF) has written an ultimatum to Ramaphosa, instructing the president to lift the ban on the sale of alcohol. So unwittingly, the group (GLF) seeks to argue that alcohol consumption is an integral part of essential service.
Thankfully, president Ramaphosa has boldly refused to accede to the GLF’s alcoholic ultimatum. As a nation, we are fully aware of the disastrous consequences and catastrophic ramifications of alcohol consumption in our country. Many incidents of violent crime, gender-based violence, domestic violence and road accidents are directly caused by alcohol consumption and drug abuse.
In his unrelenting response to the GLF’s demand, Ramaphosa explains: “The sale of alcohol is self-evidently not an essential service. The sale and consumption of alcohol also has proven links to an increase in violent crime, motor vehicle accidents, medical emergencies and results in full emergency rooms at hospitals. In the face of a pandemic such as Covid-19, the experience of the world has shown us that hospitals need be prepared to receive and treat vast numbers of Covid-19 patients and to quarantine them from non-infected patients.”
The president further elaborates: “Prohibiting the sale of alcohol is also aimed at ensuring compliance with the lockdown regulations, social distancing protocols and proper hygiene practices by reducing or eliminating the number of intoxicated people, in light of the experience of non-compliance by intoxicated people in general.” Alcohol consumption, just like smoking, is very harmful, toxic and unhealthy.
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