LERIBE – The ongoing Coronavirus lockdown has left scores of men in villages actively impaired and as a result have turned to alcohol to while away time.

Despite local public bars and bottle stores being closed for 21 days, some liquor consumers still get their hands on booze through backdoors of underground drinking holes.

Metro has established that in some places around Maputsoe, in Leribe, some people purchase alcoholic beverages from unknown sources and store them in their houses to sell via backdoors.

Some drinkers spend huge sums of money to appease their cravings and sometimes fork up to M30 out of their pockets for a 750ml bottle of beer that normally sells at M16.  

“People, especially men who are unable to work due to the pandemic often find themselves idling at home with limited chores to do within their yards. Since many are not used to staying at home with their wives and children, drinking has become their only alternative,” noted a senior citizen of Ha Moolisa in Maputsoe, Mohlabi Kebane.

Home brewed beer has become a way out for those who cannot afford the sky-rocketing price of bottled booze now sold in the black market.

According to the members of the community policing forum in Maputsoe, irresponsible drinking is often the source of agitation that leads to common family conflicts.