Mthatha cops target taverns
Police want early closure to help reduce alcohol-fuelled crimes
MTHATHA police are due to hold talks with traditional leaders, community leaders and tavern owners in a bid to control alcohol abuse.
The planned meeting follows police raids over the festive season. Mthatha police said they had noted many of the incidents of crime and violence were as a result of alcohol abuse.
Mthatha police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said earlier this week they planned to convince community leaders to come up with a resolution to close taverns earlier to avoid criminal incidents as a result of alcohol abuse.
“The meeting was supposed to have been this week but has been delayed because some people are still on holiday. We want it to happen soon, hopefully next week,” said Fatyela.
“Heavy drinking is common and you find it results in incidents of assault, muggings and other crimes,” said Fatyela.
He said even events such as initiation celebrations needed to finish earlier because some people, fuelled by alcohol, go out afterwards and commit crime.
“When people restrict their fun, there are fewer incidents. [In these cases] they leave taverns while it’s still early, so there are fewer chances to commit crime,” added Fatyela.
“We have noticed taverns and alcohol abuse are the source of violence . . . it would be really encouraging if citizens would work with police [to curb this].”
Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa secretary in the Eastern Cape, Nkosi Xolile Ndevu, said they supported the idea and had been advocating an early closure of taverns for a long time.