President Cyril Ramaphosa has until Tuesday to reconsider the ban on alcohol sales during the lockdown period or face court action.
The Gauteng Liquor Forum, which said it represents 20 000 small businesses, said in a statement that it was concerned that the lockdown regulations introduced by government could be unconstitutional and therefore have no authority under law.
It said its member associations, who operate mainly in townships, have been greatly affected by the prohibition.
“The extension of the lockdown will most likely ruin their businesses. They do not have access to other means of surviving while the lockdown continues,” the Forum said.
According to the statement, the Forum said its members do not object to the necessity to take measures to ensure that the spread of the virus is contained and the virus is eliminated.
“Our clients are concerned the regulations are unconstitutional as a whole and there is no authority under the law and the Constitution to issue the Regulation.”
The Forum wants the Constitutional Court to make a ruling on whether the regulations are unreasonable, and have a rational connection to the intended outcome during the lockdown period.
President Ramaphosa announced a raft of measures last month aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
This included a ban on the sale of alcohol and cigarettes, a move, which has since become the source of much contention in the country.
The Gauteng Liquor Forum is now calling for the ban to either be lifted or amended otherwise it's threatening to take the matter to court on an urgent basis.
