Mushrooming Shebeens A Concern In Old Naledi
Pini Bothoko | Monday September 10, 2018 13:55
Naledi Police Station commander, superintendent Oagile Bolane has raised concerns over the mushrooming and unbridled shebeens that he said need to be urgently tamed. He said the situation is worsening, taking into account that almost every house has a drinking place.
“We are much concerned with the mushrooming of shebeens in this area. We have since established that shebeens fuel violent and serious crimes like rape, murder, assault cases to mention but a few.
We are declaring war on those who don’t comply. We are not going to negotiate or compromise because murder cases are high in this area and mostly they start as fights at shebeens. The law will take its course,” he said.
The concern follows an incident in which a man aged 36 lost his life after he was stabbed with a knife last week in one of the alleged shebeens in the area. It was reported that the deceased met his fate when trying to intercept a fight between a man and a woman.
Bolane stated that acting under the influence of alcohol, elbow benders have the tendency of fighting over petty issues that could have been resolved verbally.
“Residents are having sleepless nights as they are well known people operating as ‘bo MmaSpoto’ selling beer, especially quarts the whole night.
The alcohol mostly sold here is beer in quarts, Chibuku and khadi. Crimes are committed at these shebeens late at night after the stipulated operating time. People are also mugged on their way from late night shebeens,” he said.
He said it was discouraging to note that even those who have permits to operate shebeens continue to violate the law.
Bolane said he does not know if the mushrooming of shebeens is sparked by massive unemployment, poverty or people just want quick cash.
However, the police chief made it clear that drinking alcohol is basically not the concern.
He said the issue instead is the way others act with impunity to make it available without due consideration to the lives of consumers and the consequences of abuse.
“We have been holding public outreach meetings in the area sensitising members of the community about the dangers of operating shebeens, but that seems to be falling upon deaf ears,” he said.
“We are declaring war against those who are not complying with the law.
We will increase our visibility on the ground with patrols and raid shebeens not complying with the law,” Bolane added, raising a concern on what kind of results can be expected from children living in an area full of shebeens.
Bolane said such children would simply copy what they are being exposed to on a daily basis.