Retailers turn heat on shebeen operators

RETAILERS have called for tougher action against shebeens that have been enjoying a monopoly following the closure of bars across the country as part of the COVID-19 containment measures.

Shebeens have been fully operational since the country went on lockdown in March this year.

Shebeens remain illegal despite years of lobbying and constant raids by the police have not deterred patrons despite the punitive $500 fine the offence attracts.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president Denford Mutashu said shebeens were a health threat as he applauded the government for further increasing operating hours for businesses.

“All business stakeholders, consumers, and the general public, while celebrating this move, should, however, remain vigilant in the fight against the invisible enemy, COVID-19 pandemic,” Mutashu said in a statement on Tuesday.

“These (shebeens) should be shut down immediately as they are now posing a serious health threat to communities. It is CZR’s utmost plea to retailers and wholesalers to remain vigilant in the fight against this invisible enemy.”

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube yesterday said they would escalate raids on shebeens.

“What we are saying is that we are concerned about the operations of these shebeens. A number of raids and arrests are being made. We still warn the owners and patrons that it is an offence to patronise shebeens and those found wanting are liable to prosecution,” Ncube said.

Despite spirited campaigns by politicians for many decades, notably the late Makokoba MP Sydney Malunga to regularise them, shebeens have remained illegal in Zimbabwe.

In 2015, former Tourism minister Walter Mzembi told parliamentarians that shebeens would be legalised under a new policy to “remove a colonial mindset on shebeens”.

Mzembi argued that the shebeens promoted “township tourism”.