Plan to act on liquor outlets
MINOR children are buying alcohol freely at some shebeens and taverns, according to Phoenix CPF chairman Umesh Singh, who has welcomed a plan by the government to deal harshly with the culprits.
This week, Sihle Zikalala, the KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs who also oversees the KZN Liquor Authority, warned that illegal liquor outlets breaking the law by selling to minors faced huge penalties, including imprisonment for up to five years.
“We will deal very harshly and without mercy with those found to be complicit in turning our young people into alcoholics,” said Zikalala.
He promised to engage the KZN Liquor Authority, the SAPS, the Department of Community Safety and Liaison as well as local and district municipalities to decisively deal with the offending outlets.
Last week, POST reported extensively about the scourge of alcoholism in communities.
Said Singh: “Some taverns, whether illegal or not, are selling alcohol to under 18s and are using the business as a front when selling drugs. We are currently monitoring these taverns.
“Taverns that are within 500m of a school or religious institution are also being monitored. They have been told that they need to relocate their businesses and also re-apply for their licences. There is also no guarantee that tavern owners will get their licences.”
He said they were even monitoring the times the outlets were operating.
“Alcohol is killing our society and just like drugs it is destroying the youth in our community. Police need to take action and more needs to be done to eradicate not only illegal taverns, but legal ones as well.”
Effects
His Chatsworth counterpart, Jakes Singh, said: “Alcohol contributes to many social problems and many of the domestic violence cases or cases of people disturbing the peace are a result of them being intoxicated.
“Whatever complaints we receive from the community are dealt with at (a special) forum. When a tavern owner’s licence is even up for renewal we get public comment first before issuing it.”
Lenasia community activist Preyelan Pillay said they had taken a hands-on approach against the mushrooming of taverns.
“In Lenasia we have a few bottle stores and maybe two or three taverns.
“They are not disruptive but are closely monitored to ensure they are adhering to the liquor act. On the outskirts of Lenasia in the township is where the problem lies.
“There is an influx of illegal taverns.”
Pillay said it was this area that showed more violent attacks and concerned residents have appealed to police to monitor the area.
But fed up community members are calling for neighbourhoods to be tavern-free zones.
A Phoenix mother of two says every weekend a tavern across from her home is a hive of activity.
“Young men still dressed in their work uniforms gather and drink till the late hours of the night and when they leave they are unable to walk properly because they are so intoxicated.”
She was concerned about the type of generation being raised.
Another resident from Chatsworth said when he was younger drinking at a tavern was frowned upon and now people didn’t seem to care.
“Where are our morals? You find women even sitting outside these places drinking. What examples are they setting for their children? There is a time and place for everything and drinking if done needs to be done in moderation.”
Others shared their views on our Facebook page saying alcohol was contributing to the breakdown of society.
Sadiyya Khan: “Close them down. I have personally experienced my family being affected by these taverns and drugs that are being sold at some of them. Parents send their 10-year-olds with beer bottles to taverns.”
EXCELLENT headline in POST, “The booze curse”. The brave journalism by Charlene Somduth reveals a serious concern for the community. This topic will have many families debating with guilty family members, encouraging them to read POST.
What is clear is that we as a community have lost our “moral compass”. Ultimately, alcohol is not forced down anybody’s throat and people willing to consume alcohol and such have to be responsible for their own actions.
There will always be a supply if there is a demand – this is basic economics.
What this situation also brings to light is the ineffectiveness of the police services and liquor authority. If these bodies carry out the task with which they are mandated, this would make a positive impact on the problem of shebeens and illegal traders.
Further, faith-based organisations ought to move away from merely being involved in prayer and start to offer assistance to their congregants that would be relevant to them in dealing with life problems. I hope and pray that after reading POST many alcoholics will be brave enough to book themselves into one of the recovery centres and start a new life.
Lastly, let’s not forget to thank people like Proach and Amretha Hansraj, who bought the house and leased it to the Chatsworth recovery centre, and all ex-teachers, led by Lall Sukram, who work on a voluntary basis. You will be richly blessed.
The saying is so appropriate: “Pure love is a willingness to give without a thought or receiving anything in return.” DHAYALAN MOODLEY
Mobeni Heights