Six people have died and several more have been left partially blind after drinking homemade beer during the coronavirus lockdown in South Africa.

The country brought in a booze ban during its efforts to prevent the killer virus spreading.

Days before this was lifted, a group reportedly drank toxic homemade beer in the township of Masiphumelele in Cape Town.

Six died of suspected methanol poisoning and four others were hospitalised, local media reports.

Of the survivors, two have since been discharged from hospital while the other two are still receiving treatment.

The surviving members may have been left with severe damage to their eyesight, according to reports.

The group are believed to be Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals.