GLORIA KANGWA writes
SOLWEZI Municipal Council (SMC), in North Western Province, has closed down 21 drinking places operating illegally in residential areas.
Council Public Relations Officer, Moses Ngosa, confirmed the development in an interview saying that the bars, night clubs and pubs were either closed or charged a penalty fee apart from one transit bar which was excluded.
Mr Ngosa said the decision to close down or fine the drinking places follows expiry of the ultimatum given by the District Commissioner Rosemary Kamalonga that they either meet municipality standards or be closed down.
“Among the facilities closed is CK Bar for having no liquor licence, Last 5 Bar for late closure and the owner fined K750, Manjimela Bar for having no health inspection certificate and liquor licence, Chiliqwisa Bar for having no liquor licence and late closure, Football House for late closure and the owner fined K750 and Video Show for late closure the owner fined. All these premises are located in Kyawama Compound”, he said.
Mr Ngosa said, “Kamwala in Kandemba for having no liquor licence and late closure, Delayu Nightclub for late closure, Sterio Sound Bar Mitec for late closure and owner fined K750, Soka City for late closure, Mukisa in Kawiko for having no liquor licence and late closure and Simukonda Bar for having no liquor licence and owner fined K750.”
He said that the other drinking places closed include, Gondwe Joseph Bar for having no liquor licence and late closure, Big Paper in Muzabula for having no liquor licence, Yusfukatasha for late closure and the owner fined K750, Ntanti Bar for late closure, Uncle Nightclub for having no licence and owner fined K450, Chocolate City Bar at Mitec for late closure, Coaches Pub for having no liquor licence and Chimukonti Nightclub for late closure.
Mr Ngosa urged facility owners that the council would do its best to control the situation and ensure that the drinking paces adhere to operation standards.
“This is an on-going exercises. Our appeal to drinking places is that they meet all municipality standards because we do not derive pleasure as a council from closing you down or charging you fees. You can use the money you pay in fees for other things,” he said.
