The national ban on alcohol sales in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 has caused difficulty for many in the Kalahari.
From two teenagers who allegedly broke into a tavern in Deben in April, stealing bottles of wine, to peddlers being jailed or fined for illegally selling liquor.
Last week two alleged smugglers had their massive operation foiled when police spotted an Isuzu courier van driving in Upington during the curfew hours.
Police spokesperson Brig. Mohale Ramatseba says the police discovered hundreds of wine bottles, boxes of brandy and crates of spiced rum when they pulled over the van last week on Monday.
The police estimated that 354 600 ml of liquor was on board, valued at approximately R150 000.
The pair have since been arrested and charged with contravening the National Disaster Act after defying the government’s alcohol ban.
Many have turned to home-brewed beer to quench their thirst, leading to several arrests of peddlers who had brewed and sold their concoctions to the community.
Google announced that “how to brew homemade alcohol” was amongst its top internet searches in South Africa since the start of the lockdown.
Just before the ban was lifted in June, 14 people died nationwide, and several others were fighting for their lives.
The first such case was reported in the Northern Cape. Ramatseba says the post-mortem report indicated that the tragic death of Tony Hilliar (54) and his fiancé, Alida Fouché (42) was due to drinking a batch of their homemade beer on 2 May in Port Nolloth.
However, the ban which is accompanied by a hefty fine or the possibility of being locked up, has not deterred those who are willing to pay any price for their favourite alcoholic beverage or whatever is still available at their suppliers.
A 30-year-old from a well-to-do Kathu suburb, says he had not stopped drinking alcohol during the prohibition.
It is not difficult to buy alcohol. Beer is easily available, says the miner, who asked to remain anonymous.
“The only problem is that alcohol has become expensive.”
On any given weekend, he spends between R600 and R2 000 on alcohol.
“I am not an alcoholic. Everyone wants to drink, especially over weekends. I work hard during the week and like to relax on a Friday or Saturday with a couple of beers or a glass or two of whiskey.”
He only buys his alcohol from people he knows.
“What is nerve-wracking is on your way home from your supplier, you stress about getting caught and how to dodge the police.”
He says there is no sense in the ban, because people still consume alcohol and are smoking cigarettes.
“This ban will only lead to more deaths from consuming potent concoctions and increase diseases linked to illicit tobacco products.”
