SA Breweries has confirmed nine drivers were arrested and a massive consignment was impounded on Wednesday, but the company says it was moving it to a storage facility and it has the necessary permits.  

This after Gauteng Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko announced the police had intercepted the cargo west of Johannesburg, fined the drivers and was tracking down the company’s managers.

Telephonic comment was not immediately available from SAB, but the company tweeted: “We wish to clarify that we regard the president’s call for lockdown seriously and appreciate the government’s efforts to safeguard our nation and its people.”

The company said it had all the necessary permits to move stock from one storage facility to another during wind-down operations.

It added it had been in contact with the Department of Trade and Industry and police, saying it had also appointed lawyers to assist the arrested drivers. In terms of the Disaster Act no alcohol can transported, purchased or sold during the lockdown. 

Numerous booze smugglers have been arrested for contravening the act. 

However, SAB said the alcohol seized was not for sale or distribution and was always in its possession.

South Africa Breweries said it has since engaged both the department of trade and industry (DTI) and police to clarify its “orderly wind-down measures” and has “subsequently shared all requisite approvals and permits”.

The movement of the alcohol at its seven breweries was specifically provided for in the lockdown regulations, said the company.

“The alcohol in transit at the time of arrest and seizure was packaged inventory which had to be moved to an SAB-owned offsite storage facility as our warehouse storage capacity at the breweries had reached permissible limits,” it said.

“The alcohol seized was not for sale or distribution and was always in SAB’s possession.

“Further to this, permission to transport a portion of our packed inventory had been obtained.”

Emphasising it was operating within the confines of the law, the company said it would assist those placed under arrest.

“All employees who have been confronted by the police are being assisted with the aid of our legal representative Bowmans as well as SAB’s internal legal counsel.”