Alcohol ban: Bloemfontein women die from home-brewed alcohol

Residents in the Free State capital of Bloemfontein are in shock, following the death of two women in their twenties from the alleged consumption of ‘home-brewed liquor’ on New Year’s Eve – just days after the new alcohol ban came into effect.

Furthermore, The South African has been informed that more deaths from the dangerous home-brewed concoction are expected: At least four more young people, reportedly between the ages of 18 and 23, landed in Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein after consuming the same homemade brew. One of them is in a critical condition at the public hospital.

INGREDIENTS IN THE BREW ARE YET TO BE DETERMINED

Free State police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, says authorities are investigating the incident following the deaths of the two young women, who have been named as Dieketseng Ratsiu and Grace Manyane.

Makhele says the home-brewed alcohol was poured into a two-litre bottle and shared amongst the friends to usher in the New Year amidst South Africa’s ban on alcohol. That bottle is now in police custody and forms part of the investigation. It is unknown at this stage where the concoction was brewed, or what ingredients were used in it.

SABC reports that Pastor Morris Sekgutleng, transported the group to the local hospital for medical attention. At the time of publication Sekgutleng was yet to answer The South African’s calls for an update on the surviving victim’s condition.

Alcohol ban TO CONTINUE TILL 15 JANUARY

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa placed a dent in South African’s plans to usher in the New Year, announcing the country would return to Level 3 lockdown until mid-January 2021. This effectively reintroduced the alcohol ban

The address came after deliberations with the National coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC) after the National Health Department raised concerns about COVID-19 cases that appeared to be spiralling out of control. 

While some have welcomed the restrictions, others have continued to plead with Ramaphosa to think of workers in the alcohol industry – and how a total ban would impact them and their families. 

South African Medical Association Chairperson Angelique Coetzee told The South African that they are not calling for Level 2 lockdown, nor are they calling for Level 5 lockdown. She said they are simply calling for harsher restrictions on social gatherings and alcohol. Coetzee said there should be a ban over weekends as most of the trauma cases come in then.

THE REDUCTION IN TRAUMA CASES

This reduction in trauma cases has already been observed in the country. For the first time ever, the trauma ward at Chris Hani Baragwaneth Hospital in Soweto, Gauteng had no cases on 1 January 2021. The Free State Health Department also reported that it was a ‘rather quiet’ New Year’s Day 2021 across the province.

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