By NATION REPORTER
THE Mufulira and Kabwe Municipal Councils are infuriated that some sadistic business agents have continued the sale of alcohol in cemeteries and have warned of hellish consequences against people who shall be found to be a nuisance to the dead.
The Sale of liquor in cemeteries has for a long time been an issue of concern for most local authorities across the country and now the Mufulira and Kabwe Municipal Councils say time has come for the graveyard beer garden to be uprooted and the owners be subject to the temerity of the bylaws
Despite various interventions, the vice has continued as some people have even set up stands in graveyards where they sale liquor which did not only abrogates the public health act but was a breach of the bylaws.
While trading in liquor in the land of the dead has been a source of income for enterprising businessmen selling beer at the cemeteries, the municipality is not amused and is now taking action against the vice.
In Mufulira, people are selling liquor at the Kansunswa cemetery a vice the local authority has described as a nuisance.
Mufulira mayor Tanaeli Kamanga says the council was aware that some unscrupulous people have turned Kansunswa grave yard into a den of selling intoxicating liquids.
Mr. Kamanga said the situation was most unfortunate as it was not only illegal but also showed lack of respect for the dead.
He said the graveyard should be a respectable place where the dead get to rest in peace and not in the noise of the living drunks.
“It is shameful and disgraceful that people would turn a place that is supposed to be respected like the graveyard into a place where they sale alcohol. It is not just illegal, it is immoral and shows total disrespect for the dead and as a local authority we shall not condone it”, Mr Kamanga said.
Mr Kamanga said the council would strategize on stiffening punishment for people caught selling alcohol in order to deter would be offenders.
“As a council we will do everything we can to ensure that we get rid of this vice and restore sanity in all the cemeteries”, he said.
Meanwhile the local authority in Kabwe has said there is need for mindset change among members of the public when it comes to the issue of selling alcohol in the grave yards.
Kabwe Municipal council public health Director Christopher Mtonga said it was important that people were made aware of the consequences of such vices.
“As a local authority we have noted that what people need is a mindset change so that they are able to understand that selling liquor in cemeteries is illegal and a crime,” Mr Mtonga said.
