SA police minister wants alcohol ban reinstated

South Africa’s Police Minister Bkehi Cele has called for the country’s ban on the sale of alcohol to be reinstated after an increase in crime levels following the easing of restrictions.

Mr Cele said the National Coronavirus Command Council ought to discuss the matter and hoped they would “do the right thing”.

South Africa’s alcohol ban, which was introduced as part of coronavirus lockdown measures to reduce strain on hospitals, was partially lifted on 1st June.

The sale of alcohol is now allowed, however only from Monday to Thursday between 09:00 and 17:00. 

Alcohol-related violence is a huge problem in South Africa, with at least 40% of all emergency hospital admissions involving alcohol. On average some 34,000 trauma cases arrive at emergency departments in South Africa each week, however during the coronavirus lockdown this fell by roughly two thirds to just 12,000 admissions. 

Mr Cele has in the past said that it would be better for the ban to continue, attributing it to  a temporary drop in crime.

On Thursday, the police minister listed several recent criminal incidents that involved drunk suspects, saying there was a real need to reconsider lifting the ban. 

Photo: AFP