JOHANNESBURG - Ahead of the budget, there’s a focus on spirits.
Not the esoteric kind, but the alcoholic kind.
The country’s leading spirits company has called for a freeze on excise tax increases while policy is being reviewed.
Diageo says tax on spirits may climb above R100 per 750ml bottle of brandy, gin, vodka, whisky and rum.
Rather than deterring alcohol overindulgence, the company says the tax will encourage criminality.
Diageo corporate relations director Sibani Mngadi discusses this further.