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Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
Harare City Council last night fined 12 bottle store operators in the central business district a total of US$3,600 for violating operating hours.
Each of the 12 liquor stores was fined US$300 after municipal officers caught them operating beyond the stipulated 8pm closing time.
The surprise operation came in response to widespread complaints from residents who have grown tired of bottle stores in the CBD flouting their licenses and operating until midnight.
Harare City spokesperson Mr Stanley Gama said the operation will continue until order is restored.
“Due to concerns raised by residents, the City of Harare launched a blitz yesterday evening, resulting in 12 bottle stores being fined US$300 each for operating beyond 8pm.
“We will not tolerate lawlessness, bottle store owners must respect both the country’s laws and the city’s by-laws.”
Mr Gama also said the council will revoke licenses for all errant bottle stores.
“They are slowly turning the city centre into a jungle, and we will not allow that to happen. If they do not comply with the laws, we will revoke their licenses.
“Some of them are under investigation regarding how they got their trading licenses. We have listened to residents’ complaints about the proliferation of bottle stores in the CBD. Some of them are operating illegally, and we will put a stop to this,” said Mr Gama.
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