adminSecretary for the liquor licensing board Mr Ramious Chagonda said his board only approved the registration of beer outlets based on city recommendations.
“We do not cause overtrading,” said Mr Chagonda.
“The first document we require is a letter of no objection from the respective local authority and in this case Harare City.”
He said the Government requirement was that not more than 40 percent of traders at any shopping centre should hold liquor licences.
“In no way can a licence be issued without approval from the urban planning department. If there is overtrading at any centre, the problem is with the urban planning department,” he said.
During the Harare full council meeting last week the city said it wanted the liquor licensing board to consult it before issuing beer trading licences following the overwhelming number of liquor outlets at shopping centres in relation to the number of other services.
The matter was brought to the attention of council by the director of urban planning services Mr Psychology Chiwanga and his housing and community services director Mr Justin Chivavaya.
At some shopping centres the number of beer outlets by far exceeds that of grocery shops.
Online Reporter