The local authorities in Terekeka County in Central Equatoria State have banned the consumption and sale of harmful spirits and gins in a bid to deter alcohol-related health complications and liquor-induced crimes in the county.
The harmful alcoholic drinks banned were London Gin, Star Gin, and Tiger Gin among others.
Terekeka County Commissioner George Wani Elias told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that harmful alcoholic drinks, especially spirits and gins, are destroying the lives of school children and the youth.
“I have issued a local order which contained four points. I have banned alcohol such as Star Gin which is locally called Red Cap. This alcohol is harmful to the lives of the young people in the area who are drinking it,” he explained. “You find 13, 14, and 15-year-old children drinking it because it is cheap and anybody can afford to buy it. It is sold for SSP 200 or 300.”
According to the commissioner, alcoholism has become a big threat to the livelihoods of many people in his jurisdiction.
“When a child drinks this alcohol, they turn violent in the community and even in schools. They do not attend classes and the traders are selling it to everyone including children and anybody who gives them money. This is one of the reasons why I banned the consumption of alcohol because it is destroying the lives of children in Terekeka County,” he said. “The second thing is the issue of cutting trees; you will find people going to the forest to cut trees illegally without the knowledge of or approval from the county authorities. They enter the forest with their machines and start cutting down trees the way they want. If you enter the forest now, you will see that most of the trees have been cut down.”