No bail for selling beer to kids

A 23-YEAR-OLD Harare man who allegedly supplied beer to 11 minors on Christmas Day was remanded in custody to January 4 next year.

Phaeteon Mutiyaya of Nenyere Flats in Mbare, who allegedly operated a shebeen, appeared before Mbare magistrate Mr Batanai Madzingira charged with the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 18, selling liquor without a permit and operating a shop without a licence. He was not asked to plead.

The court refused to grant Mutiyaya bail, saying he would probably keep selling alcohol to minors illegally or threaten the kids, who live in the same block of flats.

Through his lawyer, Mr Tungamirayi Chakurira, Mutiyaya requested bail, arguing that there was no proof he was the one who sold the beer to the minors.

Further, he told the court that police failed to conduct an identification parade for the minors to pinpoint the actual person who sold the alcohol to them.

The accused further informed the court that in one of the recordings, the children mention the presence of a parent, who might have been responsible for sourcing the beer.

According to the State, Mutiyaya was found in possession of various brands of alcohol in large quantities at his residence.

Meanwhile, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told The Sunday Mail that further investigations are underway to ascertain whether there were elements of negligence on the part of the minors’ parents or guardians.

“We are still making further investigations.

“We will also look into the provisions of the Children’s Act and the law will take its course,” he said.