Chongwe illegal beer sales worry residents

THE increasing number of shops illegally selling beer in residential areas in Chongwe central ward has raised concern among residents who have called on the district council to stop the trend.

A concerned resident of Chikwela Village, Ms Eneles Zulu told the Daily Nation in an interview that the number of liquor stores was increasing in the residential areas.

“Some of them are trading illegally and opening as early as 06:00 hours and closing late in the night. This is very disturbing and it calls for the council to act swiftly. Such acts only increase ‘illicit’ behaviour a mong our young people. It is also a serious public nuisance which must be stopped,” she said.

Other residents questioned why the council renewed licences of traders who operated up to midnight in residential areas.

“The idea of having bars or bottle stores in residential areas is a thing of the old. Government is making every possible call to create sanity in the district and yet some residents continue to dare government,” one resident lamented.

Meanwhile, district council assistant public relations manager, Musonda Mino warned that the local authority would not spare anyone found in conflict with the law. “We have issued several warnings and we must move in and bring sanity,” he said in an interview with the Daily Nation.

“Some traders have grocery trading licences, but they have diverted and gone into liquor trading. This is unfortunate and must be curbed. We have resolved to take punitive measures and our inspectors will soon move in and apply the law,” he said.