SOUTH AFRICANS LINES UP AT LIQUOR STORES AFTER FAKE NEWS SPREADS

Yesterday, 25 August 2020, a voice note made rounds on social media stating that President Cyril Ramaphosa will again be addressing the nation to reinstate the ban on alcohol.

The man in the voice note claimed that all bottle stores would be closed on Tuesday night, and that Ramaphosa is expected to address the country at 8pm to inform the nation of their decision to close bottle stores due to the drunk driving accidents.

"I'm just letting you know the bottle stores will be closing. Today will be the last day today. Tonight, 8 o'clock he is talking," the person claims.

After the voice note started making its rounds, liquor stores have been flooded with residence trying to stock up before the closing. However, the DA's trade and industry spokesperson, Natasha Mazzone, confirmed that the voice note was fake.

"People need to treat such voice notes with caution as they cause panic," she said.

The Presidency's acting spokesperson, Tyrone Seale, also confirmed that there was no truth to the voice note, and stated that if the President is to address the nation, that an official statement would be released. "We have not made any statements about this," he said.

South Africans need to be more cautious about what news they believe. If an unreliable source makes a claim, South Africans should query the statement with relevant sources.

Although the government is still busy with the NCCC meeting to discuss the dramatic affect which the lift of the alcohol ban has had on the country, several law enforcements stated that since the lifting of the alcohol ban, there has been an increase in reckless driving and accidents.   

Three Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) officers were also reported dead due to and incident with a drunk driver.

"It cannot be acceptable that three Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) officers are among the people who died in alcohol-related vehicle accidents that occurred in Gauteng this past weekend. Government sends its condolences to the families and loved ones of the three officers who died in such a tragic manner," Cabinet spokesperson Phumla Williams stated.

"While many South Africans are responsible in their use of alcohol, the government and society cannot sit idle while lives are being destroyed as a result of alcohol abuse and binge drinking," Williams said.