JOHANNESBURG (SOUTH AFRICA) – In an Italian bistro in a tony neighbourhood of Johannesburg in South Africa, patrons can be seen smiling and chatting at candle-lit tables, something which resembles a pre-pandemic scene. However, there is no liquor on the menu. But customers order red or white ‘coffee’ which comes in grey mugs – the ubiquitous sign of a modern-day blind pig.
As part of its strictest lockdowns, the country has banned the sale of liquor to bring down the number of hospitalisations related to drunken driving and injuries caused by alcohol-linked violence. It is to also ease health workers who are battling the pandemic.
At a time when the economy is reeling because of the lockdown, winemakers and restaurant operators complain that the ban on alcohol is costing jobs. With the fall in infection rates, President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing mounting pressure to lift the ban.
“Am I happy with what I’m doing? No,” said the owner of the bistro, adding that the illicit sale of liquor prevented him from firing half a dozen employees. “They’ve turned everybody into criminals.”
Last month, restaurant workers, who have been hit the hardest, protested last month for the permission to resume alcohol sales and lobby Agri SA said the prohibition has bled the wine industry 3.3 billion rand ($189 million) and cost 117,000 jobs.
The government body tasked with managing the pandemic has recommended easing of curbs, fuelling speculation that the ban might be lifted soon, according to local media.
When prohibition kicked in in March, it spawned a thriving clandestine booze industry with bootleggers and online traders offering door delivery of patrons’ favourite tipple.
With authorities allowing more restaurants to welcome patrons for sit-in dining, some eateries have become speakeasies.
A few doors down the bistro, there are two more restaurants where liquor is served secretly. Drinkers sit in back rooms or occupy the dining area in front and take a swig from bottles labelled non-alcoholic.
Almost 6,000 people have been arrested for flouting the ban.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field
