As expected, South Africans wasted no time in getting their booze and smokes at dawn on Tuesday.
For Charl Van Rooy, owner of Liquor City Groenkloof, in Pretoria, this day means more than just alcohol and cigarettes being available again. It also brings security, an income, the ability to get out of the house and put food on the table for many people.
“Being able to look after our employees during this time is very important,” he said.
Van Rooy said by the close of business on Tuesday, his bottle store had done 800% better than an average Tuesday before the lockdown.
Although business was not quite as good as on June 1, when the previous alcohol ban was lifted, he said he was still extremely happy.
TimesLIVE