‘Fake news’: Alcohol ban is not back

The presidency has poured cold water on speculation that the booze ban would be reinstated.

Minister in the presidency Jackson Mthembu tweeted on Tuesday afternoon: “It’s not true that President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation tonight. It [is] equally not true that the NCCC/cabinet has taken a decision to disallow the sale of alcohol. This is all fake news.”

Voice notes and text messages were circulating widely on Tuesday, claiming that the booze ban would be brought back. The messages led to a public outcry, and to some people rushing to alcohol outlets to stock up.

Asked for comment, acting presidency spokesperson Tyrone Seale said: “We make announcements when the president is going to speak. We haven't made such an announcement.”

DA MP Dean Macpherson also squashed the rumours, saying he had contacted the department of trade & industry, which he said confirmed that the speculation was untrue.

The messages were also spread to restaurant owners, who also confirmed the claims were untrue.

“We have received confirmation from a reliable sources that the news about the alcohol ban being reinstated is untrue. We urge everyone to act responsibly during this time and avoid spreading unsubstantiated statements that simply cause panic,” said Ashton Naidoo of Mooney Ford Attorneys, on behalf of the Restaurant Association of SA [Rasa].

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula had earlier said the government needs to review laws relating to access to alcohol. He was speaking on Monday during a visit to the families of three Tshwane metro police department (TMPD) officers who died during a head-on collision on Sunday.

“There is over access [to] alcohol. People are out of control in terms of alcohol. We must now put our heads together - when government acts, nobody should say it is unfair. It's not about corona, this thing has been there,” he said. — TimesLive