SANFROSSA MANYINDA writes
@SunZambian
THE Ndola City Council has warned members of the public against turning their homes into shebeens as a way of evading the Corona virus (COVID-19) preventive measures that restrict bars from operating beyond 23:30 hours.
The local authority has observed that after operations of bars and night clubs were restricted following the outbreak of the COVID-19, some bar owners and other members of the public have turned their homes into bars.
Council Public Relations Manager Rebbecca Mushota said the council had noticed that reports of homes turning into shebeens had increased after restrictions were imposed on bars and night clubs.
Ms Mushota also said the department of Public Health had also undertaken various inspections which had revealed that shebeens in the city have increased.
The inspections have revealed that some homes are stocking various types of alcohol in industrial refrigerators.
“The Council wishes to caution members of the public against turning homes into bars or patronizing shebeens because doing so is illegal and a danger to public health,” she said.
Ms Mushota said the selling of liquor without a licence and selling of alcohol in a residential place was illegal according to the Liquor Licensing Act.
She maintained that homes were not designed to accommodate many people and sanitation in shebeens was compromised.
She added that the trend posed a huge threat to people’s health as compromised sanitation combined with crowds are potential sources of water borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery and other diseases such as COVID-19.
“Shebeens promote crime as criminals tend to hide in such places while the safety of children in the homes that have been turned into bars is compromised as drunk patrons could take advantage of the situation and possibly defile children,” she said.
She warned that members of the public found running shebeens risk prosecution and fines as well as imprisonment and alcohol found in such premises will be destroyed by the Ndola City Council.
