Kazungula shebeens face closure

THE increasing number of illegal drinking places is worrying and we will soon move in to close them, Kazungula Town Council secretary Given Muleya has warned.

Mr Muleya said the mushrooming illegal drinking places popularly known as shebeens especially at the border was worrying adding that the council would soon move in to close them.

Mr Muleya observed that the shebeens were a source of concern not only to the local authority but to the residents of Kazungula border.

“After we closed down some of these places during the keep Kazungula and Health Campaign, most of them went under but now they have started coming back.

“As a council, we had made no sure no one was operating a shebeen but I am sure you have seen a number of them mushrooming especially at the border area,” he said.

Mr Muleya said much as the shebeens where a source of livelihood for some families, the trend was illegal under the Zambian laws and should be stopped.

“Yes it is a source of business for some families but what we are saying is that rules and laws in this country must be followed… The council will soon embark on demolishing these places since most of them are makeshift stands,” he said.

He said the council would also start monitoring activities at all the bars and night clubs operating at the border to reduce on underage drinking.

“We have identified some spots where we have a many young people patronising these places,” said Mr Muleya.

He said the local authority had the mandate to keep in check all types of businesses and activities taking place in the district.