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Alcohol bottles in display.
Liquor traders across the country have raised concerns over the impact an increase in alcohol tax could have on businesses.
This follows the National Treasury’s plans to increase excise duties to curb alcohol abuse within the country.
President of the Concerned Tshwane Liquor Traders Association, Oupa Mthombeni, says increasing prices will not solve the problems surrounding alcohol consumption.
Mthombeni warns that if the tax hike goes ahead, both government and businesses will have to face a sharp rise in illicit alcohol.
WATCH | Sibani Mngadi, Corporate Relations Director at Diageo, believes addressing alcohol abuse requires a multidisciplinary approach, not merely higher alcohol taxes. This comes as the National Treasury plans to raise excise duties on alcohol in the 2025/26 financial year. pic.twitter.com/zceq1eEwig
— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 7, 2026
“We don’t want to see liquor traders selling liquor to underage; we don’t want to see liquor traders selling to someone who is already intoxicated; we don’t want to see liquor traders selling liquor to a pregnant woman. Those are the issues that we are trying to do. But by increasing (tax), it’s also going to kill our business as liquor traders, you know,” says Mthombeni.
DISCUSSION | Proposed increase in excise duties on alcohol: Sibani Mngadi and Oupa Mthombeni
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsMlzemzNrs
He says they want to try work with government and law enforcement to minimize illicit liquor.
“There is illicit liquor that is mushrooming around South Africa and people will be buying it because the right liquor is very expensive,” he adds.
RELATED VIDEO | Tavern Safety Summit | Concern over proliferation of illicit alcohol:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbb6evuPW_U
