A judge, alarmed by the frequency of gender-based violence (GBV) cases linked to alcohol consumption, has urged the Minister of Health to introduce stronger warnings on alcohol beverage labels. Judge Avinash Govindjee, presiding in the Makhanda High Court in the Eastern Cape, expressed his concerns after sentencing two men who had brutally murdered their partners while under the influence of alcohol. As part of his ruling, he directed his registrar to forward copies of his judgments to the minister for review.
In one of the cases, Mthutuzeli Manyathi was sentenced to 28 years in prison for the murder and attempted murder of his partner. During the first attack, he stabbed her multiple times with a broken brandy bottle while they were both intoxicated. Though she survived, she tragically died six months later when Manyathi, again under the influence, beat and strangled her to death following an argument over alleged infidelity.
In another case, a man was sentenced to 24 years in prison after he violently beat his wife to death while she was breastfeeding their child. He, too, was in a drunken rage and accused her of infidelity. These cases, among countless others, highlight the devastating impact of alcohol on domestic violence and GBV.
Judge Govindjee referenced expert testimony underscoring that intimate femicide in South Africa occurs at an alarmingly higher rate than in other countries, with an average of nearly three women killed by their partners daily. Studies consistently reveal that alcohol plays a significant role in intimate partner violence, underscoring the necessity for stronger preventive measures.
The judge pointed out that existing regulations empower the Minister of Health to mandate the labeling of foodstuffs, including alcohol, with specific warnings. While the law currently requires alcoholic beverage containers to display one of seven health warnings, only one vaguely addresses violence and crime. The label merely states: “Alcohol is a major cause of violence and crime,” without directly acknowledging the well-documented link between alcohol consumption and GBV, including rape and murder within domestic settings.
Additionally, the existing regulation allows for these warnings to occupy just one-eighth of the total label size, a measure Judge Govindjee deems insufficient given the overwhelming number of cases where alcohol is a contributing factor to violent crimes. He questioned whether the current regulations provide adequate warnings to consumers about the risks of alcohol-related violence and crime, particularly in the context of GBV.
With South Africa battling a crisis of gender-based violence, the judge emphasized that addressing the role of alcohol in these crimes should be a national priority. He urged authorities to reevaluate the current labeling regulations, ensuring that the direct link between alcohol and GBV is explicitly stated. Strengthening awareness through clearer, more prominent warnings on alcohol labels could serve as a crucial step in the country’s broader strategy to combat domestic violence and femicide.
