Johannesburg – It’s been a week since the ban on the sale of alcohol was lifted as part of South Africa’s implementation on Level 2 lockdown regulations.
The move has seen several restrictions lifted, bringing with it certain freedoms denied to South Africans as government attempted to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The biggest cause of celebration so far has been the lifting of the ban on the sale of tobacco products and alcohol, under certain conditions.
However, Police minister Bheki Cele has denounced the “reckless behaviour” that led to loss of life when, over the weekend, three Tshwane officers in a car accident while they were chasing an alleged drunk driver in Pretoria. The officers were involved in a head-on collision with the suspect, who was also killed in the crash. Empty and open bottles of alcohol were found in the car.
“The lives of these young officers were cut short by a man who chose to drink and act irresponsibly. While the alcohol ban has been lifted under lockdown Level 2, it still remains the responsibility of those who consume alcohol to do so without putting themselves and those around them in danger. If alcohol was consumed at home as per government’s directive, the loss of lives could have been avoided,” said Cele.
In Gauteng, many drunk drivers were among 841 people arrested over the weekend.
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