Cape Town – Moves to tighten liquor-related laws could be stepped up from this year, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini said on Wednesday.

Delivering her budget vote speech in the National Assembly, Dlamini said an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) set up to tackle substance abuse had proposed strict measures to be rolled-out in the coming months.

These measures included the draft control of marketing of alcoholic beverages bill.

“Key, among others, the bill aims to restrict the marketing and promotion of alcoholic beverages, and will be presented to Cabinet this year before public consultations,” said Dlamini.

The IMC would go even further, particularly where motorists were concerned.

“Other matters that the IMC will finalise this year include measures to enhance law enforcement, such as reductions in the hours of sale of alcohol, substance abuse workplace interventions, as well as a proposal that a person who has consumed alcohol should not drive a vehicle at all,” Dlamini said.

A direct link had been drawn between the high levels of violence against women and children and substance abuse.

Another IMC on violence against women and children was set up in this regard.

It would focus on prevention, protection, response, care, and support.

“In this regard, I wish to commend the recent men’s dialogue convened by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, which pledged to mobilise millions of men to fight violence against women and girls,” she said.

SAPA