Liquor Bill in bad faith - MPs

indirectly saying, the days of the State of Emergency ( SoE) might be over hence the need for the Liquor Act to be amended.

Tsogwane stated that this amendment will help in the future when SoE is over.

In response Member of Parliament for Jwaneng- Mabutsane, Mephato Reatlile said the request not to gazette but have the Bill brought under certificate of urgency is done in bad faith.

In his view, this is a technicality by the government to shut out Kalahari Breweries Limited in the event that they were to win their lawsuit against the government.

“Vice President Tsogwane appeared to imply that they are amending the Liquor Act in order to prepare themselves in the event that KBL was to win this after the SoE has ended,” MP for Palapye Onneile Ramogapi said, adding that the Minister needed to motivate the need for urgency.

“The fact that Minister Kgafela has not explained shows that there is no need. My view is that in accordance with the law of this republic the case before the court cannot be discussed elsewhere.

“It is against the rule of law to come up with a policy or law that is meant or appears to be targeted towards someone or to cover for someone. In my view, this emergency is only to cover yourselves in the event that KBL wins the case”.

Ramogapi is also of the view that Clause 2 inserts which add a new provision that provides for wholesale liquor or distributor liquor to only sell liquor to a person who holds a liquor license should be extended to food or wholesaler retailers.

Member of Parliament for Selibe Phikwe East, Kgoberego Nkawana opposed the request.

“We heard VP suggesting and or implying that the new Liquor Act will be used or will come in handy after the end of the SoE. But my question is if that is the case then why not consider reviewing or amending the Public Health Act”?

Minister Kgafela assured Parliament that the amendment has nothing to do with the case before the court and that it is not targeting anyone. The matter was put to a vote and the request was granted. At the time of going to press Kgafela was still to present the draft Bill.