A letter has been circulated circulated through social media platforms claiming an increase in the alcohol levy. This later apparently is hoax and the Government knows nothing about it. The Government of Botswana stands firm that there is no such increase. The letter comes in the form of a press release issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
It states that the Government has decided to increase the levy on alcoholic beverages by 10%, from 30% to 40 % with effect from 21 December 2015. It continues to state that public education and awareness campaigns will also be intensified to sensitize people about the dangers of excessive consumption of alcohol which continues to be a national problem.
The letter went viral in social media from yesterday until today. Batswana, mostly young people are not happy about this as they continue to air their grievances on social media. The government has posted on its face book page that the letter is hoax.
