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The South African Liquor Brand Owners Association (SALBA) says one of its members reported an armed robbery at its production facilities when the country entered its modified lockdown level 3.
According to SALBA President Sibani Mngadi, the robbery occurred on December 30, two days after the last alcohol ban.
“Thousands of bottle closures [caps] they were stolen, ”he said. “One of the illegal practices of alcohol is to fill used brand name bottles with illegal alcohol, reseal them and sell them to consumers. This practice represents a significant risk to the health of consumers. “
Mngadi also urged South Africans to drink his legally purchased liquor at home, not in public.
“In the current circumstances where we need to reduce all forms of gathering to slow the spread of infections, home consumption remains the safe option for those who choose to consume alcohol,” he said.
“In addition to reducing exposure to Covid-19 infections, home consumption also reduces the risk of drinking and driving, which is historically prevalent during the holiday season.”
Mngadi said a large number of South Africans watched the regulations put in place for 14 days to curb the rise in infections, hospital admissions and mortality as a result of the second wave of the pandemic.
“Our observation is that many South Africans stayed home during this period in accordance with the extended curfew from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am, which led to a reduction in possible injuries arising from interpersonal and group interaction. at night, traffic movement and other risk factors for trauma, ”Mngadi said.
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Mngadi urged the public to drive safely as a large number of people would be returning from vacation and they should continue to observe lockdown regulations, in particular the mandatory use of masks.
“This is critical to our country’s effort to flatten the curve of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Mngadi said.
Compiled by Reitumetse Makwea
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