South African opposition leader calls for a ban on the sale of alcohol

South African opposition leader Julius Malema called for a re-introduction of a ban on the sale of alcohol in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. This was reported by the African Air Force with reference to a statement by a politician made at the virtual celebration of Youth Day in South Africa. Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, said he was amazed by President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to resume economic activity. We call for a renewed ban on the sale of alcohol, for the protection of human lives instead of seeking profit, Malema said. The president allowed the sale of alcohol in a country that has a history of high fatalities and hospitalization due to alcohol-related violence, he added. Within two months, South Africa introduced one of the toughest quarantine measures in the world to combat the spread of coronavirus, including a ban on the sale of alcohol. During the introduction of these measures, it was stated that the ban on the sale of alcohol would reduce cases of domestic violence and relieve pressure on hospitals during quarantine. Malema emphasized that President Ramaphosa will be personally responsible for deaths from COVID-19, accusing him of promoting a white monopoly. The EFF leader previously objected to the resumption of schools and religious organizations. In South Africa, graduation students returned to schools on June 8, but since then several schools have been closed for disinfection after reporting new cases of coronavirus infection.