BOOZE WOES Govt to crack whip on illicit booze trade
Mixed reactions to the amendment of Liquor Act Bill
Dry lips and parched throats are the order of the day as imbibers of the golden liquids are getting impatient as to when President Mokgweetsi Masisi will finally lift the ban on alcohol sales.
A little birdie has indicated that in the next few weeks alcohol sales will resume, however, just as many are waiting with bated breath to be allowed to freely buy and enjoy their favourite tipple, the government has stirred the hornet’s nest and attracted mixed reactions following the tabling of the Liquor Act Amendment Bill which is expected to be debated in Parliament soon.
Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mmusi Kgafela said that the Liquor Act Amendment Bill which he presented to Parliament will help curb the illegal trade of alcohol across the country.
Kgafela explained that if Parliament approves the Bill, only those with trading licenses would be allowed to buy alcohol from wholesalers and distributors in Botswana. “There is currently a high rate of illicit trade of alcohol because nonlicense holders buy alcohol in bulk from wholesalers to trade for profit, which is not allowed,” he said.
The proposed amendment to the Liquor Act Bill has been met with mixed reactions by members of the public, particularly alcohol traders, some who believe that the move would disadvantage “the small man on the street” who is trying to make a living from the profit margins of re-selling alcohol.
One disgruntled alcohol trader who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “We are waiting to hear when the alcohol ban will be lifted and they tell us stories about controlling our businesses
as Batswana who are trying to make a living.
“There are no jobs, and business opportunities are scarce, so re-selling booze for profit is one way for many of us to make money. Government should be prioritising empowering and giving economic opportunities to Batswana, not trying to see us suffer as it seems to be the case.”
One alcohol drinker, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the amended Liquor Act Bill would only place alcohol patrons at the mercy of greedy business owners. “What this means is that bottle store and bar prices are all that we will be subjected to. This means that once the alcohol ban is lifted, they will increase prices in an attempt to cover up for the losses they experienced during the alcohol sale restrictions.” An alcohol trader, Karabo Thakadu, said the government should have engaged the public, especially stakeholders in the alcohol industry first.
“Laws such as these, which cripple small business traders, should not be imposed but rather, Batswana should be engaged on the suggestion first.
“This Bill will not curb illegal traders but will open the way for the black market to thrive. Look at what is happening right now on the black market following the alcohol sale ban; people are smuggling alcohol from across the border, and the black market is flourishing because there is high demand.
“Now, tell me, if a bottle store or bar sells a quart of beer for P22 and then someone on the black market makes you an offer of P18, which one are you going to take? “Also, people are now going to start buying booze from neighbouring South Africa and Zambia where the alcohol is cheaper. What this Bill will only do is to make Botswana market conducive for illegal trading of alcohol.”