We support KBL suit- BoBA

Botswana Beverage Association ( BoBA) has thrown weight behind Kgalagadi Breweries Limited ( KBL) for dragging the government to court. Speaking to Botswana Guardian, the Association’s Chairman, Peter Noke said all efforts have been made to dialogue with the government on alcohol business in vain. “There is no other option, except going to court. Though we are not sure it will work under the SoE but for now it’s the only solution and we support KBL 200 percent,” said Noke.

He bemoaned that BoBA members are reeling in debts, despite efforts to hold on to their closed businesses. “We are suffering and drowning in debts due to this perennial closing without consultation. Let the authorities say something about a relief fund for the alcohol industry,” said Noke. His sentiments come after KBL this week asked courts to set aside the government’s alcohol ban.

According to the brewer over 200,000 livelihoods in the alcohol industry are being affected by closure of the industry. KBL Corporate Affairs Head, Masegonyana Madisa warned that ban on alcohol sales would have dire consequences not only on its operations but the entire value chain across the country. “It will also exacerbate the illicit alcohol trade and criminality in the country and the consumption of unregulated and unsafe products leading to financial contributions by way of taxation being diverted away from the fiscus,” said Madisa.

Madisa emphasized that the government alcohol ban is ‘ improper’ and not based on objective evidence demonstrating a casual connection between the wholesale ban on alcohol and the reduction of positive COVID- 19 cases. BoBA has been lobbying the government to dialogue with all key stakeholders in the alcohol industry on means and ways to allow the industry to operate. With over 200 confirmed members across the country, the Association has indicated that over 25 percent of its members have folded operations.