The National Liquor Traders Council says the decision to suspend the sale of alcohol has shattered the industry and its extensive value chain.

It wants the ban lifted immediately.

“We accept that South Africa has a problem of alcohol abuse which needs to be tackled. We need to come together with the government to address that. Whilst doing that, we cannot compromise livelihoods of people that rely on the alcohol industry, that number is 1-million,” said the council's Lucky Ntimane.

Meanwhile, the South African alcohol industry coalition has highlighted flaws in a South African Medical Research Council report.

The report looks at the link between alcohol and trauma admissions during the COVID-19 lockdown.

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