Levy increase would not solve anything - Mangole

He was responding to a presentation on budget allocation for Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture in which the minister said he intends to engage youth role models to address their peers throughout the country on the dangers of alcohol abuse.

He said this communication initiative is better than that adopted by President Ian Khama of increasing the levy, a move that has already proved ineffective. He warned that people who drink alcohol would soon reduce the family budget to cover the deficit if government goes ahead with increasing the levy. He added that the levy would impact badly on the economy of the country leading to subsequent closure of Kgalagadi Breweries and its sister company Botswana Breweries Ltd. Once this happens, people would be forced to go and drink in neighbouring countries while some would smuggle alcohol into the country.