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By Rapula Moatshe 
1 hour ago
Pretoria – Tshwane Executive Mayor Randall Williams has received criticism from councilors, who accused him of wanting to quench his thirst by calling for the removal of the ban on subway alcohol sales amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The mayor had remarked during a virtual council session that lifting alcohol sales would benefit economic activities and prevent further unemployment.
However, his comments drew strong criticism from councilors from both the EFF and the ANC, who demanded that he withdraw his statement on the liquor.
EFF caucus leader Moafrika Mabogwana condemned Williams’ statement, saying it was reckless and irresponsible.
“He (Williams) should not be overly excited and try to emulate his parentless leader John Steenhuisen, who is busy saying that alcohol should be opened in this country. The hospitals in Tshwane, Chief Executive, are extremely crowded,” he said. .
He said it was irresponsible to encourage openness to alcohol when front-line healthcare workers had confirmed that alcohol consumption contributed to several casualty cases in hospitals and added a burden to their workload.
“The EFF wants the Executive Mayor to withdraw his statements condoning the opening of alcohol,” he said.
ANC regional leader Dr. Kgosi Maepa chimed in, saying Williams was wrong to call for the lifting of alcohol sales on behalf of the council.
He said the council does not oppose the national command council, which has banned the sale of alcohol.
“So that he (Williams) continues to demand in public forums on behalf of this council that we want alcohol to come back and lift the curfew is misleading. We have never agreed on such a thing,” he said.
He cautioned against creating an enclave that would suggest that Tshwane was isolated from other areas of Gauteng and the country.
“Alcohol is not allowed. It is very destructive. It is going to cause problems with the burden that we are having on the health system,” Maepa said.
ANC Councilor Terrence Mashigo said: “We are disappointed, Executive Mayor that you can make such a statement in the capital city of the Republic of South Africa and we want to ask you whether ‘jy is dors meneer or jy is nie dors nie (are you thirsty? Or aren’t you thirsty? ‘”
Williams, in response, accused his critics of being selective in sticking solely to the alcohol in his statement.
He also refused to withdraw his statement, saying that there was nothing wrong with political parties having different opinions.
“I don’t know if you know that before Covid-19 started this economy was already in recession. I don’t know if you know that in the city of Tshwane youth unemployment exceeds 60%,” he said.
He said shutting down the economy by taking a one-sided approach was not good for jobs in the city and the countryside.
“What I have asked for is an opening of sectors of the economy, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, restaurant, hotel sectors. All these businesses are bankrupt. Who is going to employ these people? SAB has just withdrawn an investment massive in South Africa. So what I’m asking is the opening of economies, “he said.
Pretoria News
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