happiness Chikwanha
Arron Nyamayaro
HAS Harare become a major hub of BOGUS BOOZE?
There are fears that a good number of the diffrent types of whiskies, which are being sold in the apital, could be FAKE.
There is serious concern that, if not termed, this could result in serious health complications for those who love their whiskies.
The trade in fake whiskies is powered by inter- national criminal syndicates and they know the brands which are on demand while they stay clear from the expensive brands like Johnnie Walker Blue Label or Glenfiddich 21.
“It’s simple business, this is a trade based on small profits and quick return and they know that the cheaper brands are the ones which. sell fast said a whisky dealer, who choseanonymity.
“Its not just about Harare. These guys have a wide network, and they have infiltrated South Africa. They have gone in Mozambique, you name it.
“It’s an underground business, and they dont are about the health complications.”
Hip-hop artist Stunner went on social media yesterday to narrate his story in which he claims he bought a Jack Daniels whisky bottle but ended up drinking something completely different.
“Let’s list down all the places seling fake alcohol coz haaaa ndo doro riri kuitisa tsaona irori think- ing you just had one glass apa watorova kachasu equivalent to four glasses,” he said.
“Now my night is ruined.
“It’s no joke. Imagine buying popcorn wosvika kumba kusina mafuta.”
Stunner posted a video in which he said:
“Ndatenga bottle rangu re Jack Daniels, ndatenga ice yangu, ndatenga Coke yangu zvakanakanaka, ndasvika paden, ndatora glass rangu kudaiso, ndaisa magodo angu, ndadira Jack Daniels yangu, ndadira Coke yangu kudai o, kunwa kudai so, spirit yekwani yandirikunwa yoyo guys.
Rawandisadoro refake”
“Toita sei nedoro refake riri kutenderera mu Zimbabwe?
He said only a few city outlets were selling genuine whisky products.
The concern was that counterfeit European whiskeys were being manufactured in the same factories where chemicals destined for the production ofillicit drugs are mixed.
“Ukazvinwa zvima sini zviya zviya Kkutemwa nemusoro kwaunenge uchiitwa mangwana acho.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, told H-Metro:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing to members of the public to report any shop selling or distributing counterfeit liquor products.
“We continue to urge liquor licence holders to avoid abusing their licences,” said Comm Nyathi.
Last week, police raided a number of shops selling agricultural chemicals in the Harare Central Business District as part of a mission to eliminate fake products from the market.
Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and officers from the police Licence and Inspectorate department confiscated fake products on many shelves.
The confiscated products included pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals.
One of the shop owners, operating along South Avenue, said the team urged them to stop ordering products sourced from questionable sources.
“This time the team was serious.
“Among them were officials who were testing some of the products, if they found any fake product, they removed it from the shelves.
“We have been urged to comply with authorities and avoid selling unverified products all for the sake of money.
“We used to be fined and we still retained our goods but this time they are not allowing such an arrangement,” said one of the shop owners.
A report in the Spanish newspaper El Pais last month noted that this syndicate has infiltrated many parts of Southern Africa.
Doctors, parents, and authorities told the newspaper that they were alarmed by the rise in consumption of these drinks, which were causing kidney health and addiction crisis across all age groups.
The concern was that counterfeit European whiskys were being manufactured in the same fac- tories where chemicals destined for the production ofillicit drugs are mixed.
Online Reporter