A regional Eastern Cape business chamber has labelled Premier Oscar Mabuyane's call to push for a renewed alcohol ban as "knee jerk", but his call has the support of the Eastern Cape Liquor Board.

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The Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) has applauded the call, but it has been met with scepticism by some in business.

Eastern Cape Black Business Forum secretary Luthando Bara said: "Our view is that it seems the alcohol ban has not only been about keeping a lid on the spread of the Covid-19 virus – it's about the government experimenting with a way to cut the crime rate and change drinking habits with little or no enforcement.

ECLB spokesperson Mgwebi Msiya said: "The unbanning of the sale of alcohol has seen a profoundly disappointing rise in various forms of serious crime in the province of the Eastern Cape.

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"Reported cases during this period also include drunk driving and drunk pedestrians hit by passing cars.