DA: Govt has done 'absolutely nothing' on Liquor Amendment Bill
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused the government of doing “absolutely nothing” to push through tougher alcohol laws, since the draft Liquor Amendment Bill was introduced nearly four years ago.
The party’s Dean Macpherson says the Liquor Amendment Bill has been left to gather dust on the desk of Minister of Trade and Industry Ebrahim Patel.
He reacted to comments made by Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, that government is looking at a collaboration between various departments to curb high alcohol consumption in the country.
“After the draft bill was released, the DA released its own paper on liquor legislation after extensive consultations with local and provincial governments in an effort to save lives and livelihoods.
“There is no doubt that liquor is destructive in many communities, however it also provides billions of rands into the national economy which the government can not do without. Therefore, it is crucial that a balance is sought between these two forces,” says Macpherson.
Mbalula added on Tuesday that the Road Traffic Amendment Bill which was introduced in parliament in June 2020, would place a 0% alcohol limit for all motorists.
Under the amended act, no one will be able to drive a vehicle, or occupy the driver’s seat while the engine is running, with any concentration of alcohol in their system.
It has been estimated that vehicle crashes cost the economy R18.2 billion annually.
