This case study reveals how the alcohol industry influenced the delay of South Africa’s Draft Liquor Amendment Bill (2016) through regulatory capture within NEDLAC.
Fourteen industry organizations participated in key committees, shaped evidence via funded assessments, and promoted self-regulation over public health measures.
They framed stricter policies—like raising the drinking age and limiting advertising—as harmful, while portraying themselves as socially responsible.
During COVID-19, they used legal threats and donations to further their agenda.
FORUT urges governments and civil society to scrutinize industry involvement in policymaking and leverage freedom of information laws to expose such influence.
Recommended citation:
FORUT. (2025). Alcohol Industry Political Activity in South Africa: A Case Study based on Freedom of Information Requests. Gjøvik, Norway: FORUT. https://forut.no/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/20250410_South-Africa-Case-Factsheet-3.pdf
Based on:
Mitchell, G., Siwela, P., Goldstein, S., and Maker-Diedericks, A. (2025) Alcohol industry
involvement in the delayed South Africa Draft Liquor Amendment Bill 2016: a case study
based on freedom of information requests, Globalization and Health 21, 11
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-025-01097-5