New beer rules are a ruse for poverty - shebeeners

The highly controversial regulations will come into effect on New Year's Day after being postponed from December 23. The assistant director of consumer affairs in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Seipati Olweny, had just explained that the new regulations meant that Chibuku and Phafana could no longer be sold from households.Instead, the popular 'poor man's brands' would be restricted to designated depots for which a special licence would be needed, Olweny said. The licence will cost P50.

In addition to outlawing the sale of traditional brews from homes, the new regulations will introduce restricted hours: From 2pm to 10pm Mondays to Thursdays; 12noon to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 3pm to 10pm on Sundays and public holidays.