Residents of Ikwoto County in Eastern Equatoria want the state government to impose heavy taxes on a local brew called “guu”, saying the drink killed some 170 people in recent months.
Commissioner Peter Lokeng said the heavy taxation demand follows several meetings with neighboring communities in Uganda which produce the brew, Emmanuel Radio reported.“Guu” is a brew of various wild fruits that encourages consumers to engage in reckless behavior.
Commissioner Lokeng said some people died after they took the alcoholic stuff while other deaths occurred in domestic quarrels after consumption of the killer brew or during cattle raids and robberies under “guu” influence.
He reported that three women from Lotome boma in Losite payam committed suicide after taking the brew.
In 2011, a locally produced dangerous brew prompted Governor Louis Lobong to issue an order prohibiting the storage and sale of drinks which fall in the category of liquors.
Several tons of the outlawed were impounded in a series of security swoops.
Cross-border trade in the illicit brews continued up to today.