South African Breweries (SAB), the local unit of SABMiller, has expressed concern about comments by Gauteng economic development MEC Qedani Mahlangu on the sale of liquor to unlicensed outlets, saying it does not sell liquor to people who do not have licences, as she claimed in a press briefing on Tuesday, 31 May 2011.
"SAB does not sell liquor to unlicensed shebeens," the brewer said in a statement yesterday, 1 June.
"SAB met with Ms Mahlangu in December last year to discuss a partnership to promote responsible trading in the liquor industry, and at no point did SAB indicate that it sold liquor to unlicensed outlets."
On Tuesday, Mahlangu said: "Manufacturers like SABMiller and others have gone ahead to sell liquor to people who do not have licences.
"We have said it to SABMiller that sometimes they have given fridges to people who do not have licences, they have admitted it themselves."
SAB called on Mahlangu to correct her statements which, it said, were without basis.
"We maintain our commitment to working with government and the authorities," SAB corporate affairs and transformation director Vincent Maphai said.
Mahlangu said on Tuesday that all 30 000 liquor licences and permits in Gauteng would be reviewed, and the sale of alcohol on Sundays might be discouraged.
Source: Business Day