GCC passes motion to regulate shebeens
As the mushrooming of shebeens worsens with a growing number of homesteads in the capital having a drinking hole, the Gaborone City Council (GCC) has recently passed a motion to regulate the businesses.
Councillor for Boseja ward in Gaborone Bonnington North, Khumo Sebereko has tabled a motion for the Ministry of Trade and Industry to allow licensing of taverns or shebeens in homes. Debating the motion, Sebereko said licensing of shebeens would help the council not only regulate the businesses, but also raise funds, while in the process, help empower the poor and economically battered, who are currently jobless or not formally employed.
Sebereko stated that a majority of people are jobless, a situation worsened by the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought in layoffs and the shutdown of companies. He said licensing will help empower operators as shebeens are deeply entrenched in the Botswana society. He added that most people grew up in families where their parents would sell liquor to be able to feed their families.
“It is not a secret that most areas in Gaborone like Old Naledi, Bontleng, and Broadhurst, to mention but a few, operate illegal shebeens to earn a living hence the need to regulate them to empower people. I have observed that in the event of this critical source of livelihood being removed as a result of operating such shebeens illegally, they will be facing poverty,” he said.
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Sebereko stated that shebeens provide the operators with an average amount which they use for the living expenses of their families and themselves, especially since most of the operators predominantly tend to be unmarried and single mothers. He added to have observed that in some neighbouring countries, especially in South Africa taverns are making a lot of money for municipalities.
“Currently, the level of cleanliness as well as alcohol abuse at the shebeens is an area of concern for neighbours who are concerned about the negative behaviour their children seem to develop as a result of exposure to shebeens but responding to that, the council could recommend control of litter, noise and other things. Moreover, we (the council) would also recommend shebeens to operate from a separate and distinct part of the yard or house so that children do not mimic imbibers’ behaviours,” Sebereko said.
Commenting and supporting the motion, Naledi North councillor, Oarabile Motlaleng said it is an important motion that will help empower Batswana to earn a living. He echoed Sebereko’s sentiments, saying that some neighbouring countries are making a lot of money for their councils following the regulation of shebeens.
“It is not a secret that in my area there are lots of shebeens and the police always raid operators popularly known as ‘Bo-mmaspoto’ hence licensing taverns would help them operate legal businesses. This would surely help empower people and the council to raise funds,” he said.
For his part, Gaborone Mayor Austin Abraham asked what type of alcohol will be sold in those taverns and responding to his question, Sebereko said all licensed liquor could be sold in such establishments but hoped the ministry would advise further on that matter.
Eventually, the motion was passed after other councillors threw in their support highlighting its importance not only to Batswana in the business but also to create opportunities for self-employment.
The passing of the motion comes after years of the police complaining of the lawlessness of shebeens stating to have established that they fuel crime especially violent and serious crimes such as rape, murder and assault cases among others.