Government to regulate traditional beer

BAME PIET
Staff Writer | Thursday March 4, 2010 00:00

' [A] decision has been made to regulate traditional beer under the Liquor Act as opposed to the Local Government/Township Act. The draft regulations will be submitted to Cabinet for approval this month,' said Malesu. She said that it took long too draft the regulations because government had to consult with stakeholders.

Malesu made the revelation when requesting budget approval for her ministry's share of the national budget for 2010-11 financial year. Other initiatives that the minister intends to introduce are the review of the Consumer Protection Act of 1998 so as to strengthen consumer protection and curb unfair business practices. 'In the meantime, my ministry will undertake market price surveys and publicise them with a view to simultaneously promoting price competition among businesses and raising awareness among consumers in light of escalating food prices,' she said

Discussing investment attraction, Makgato-Malesu, a former Chief Executive Officer of Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA) said that the recession has been a barrier in attracting more investors to the country.

She said the cumulative capital investment since the commencement of 2009/10 financial year stands at P291.1 million against a target of P600 million. 'A total of 492 jobs created against a target of 3,000 jobs for the year under review. 'We anticipate that once the global economy recovers this will improve,' she said.

Gaborone South MP Kagiso Molatlhegi, whose constituency includes Bontleng and Old Naledi welcomed the idea saying shebeens need to be regulated as a matter of urgency, adding that there is too much noise pollution in his area because such businesses are not uncontrolled.

Adding his voice to the debate Gaborone West South MP, Botsalo Ntuane criticised government's stance on alcohol saying it was antisocial. However he welcomed the Gaming and Gambling Bill that will be presented before end of this year and said it was long overdue.

Ntuane said he hopes that the bill will relax existing laws to allow for a lottery in the country. A lottery, he said, encourages responsible gambling because a person will not need to go to a casino with huge sums of money.  He suggested that the proceeds should be directed to a charity cause, improvement of sports and other important issues to reduce the burden on government.