Chronicle Editor
Nobukhosi Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
THE Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in Zimbabwe (SAAPA) has called for collective action from all stakeholders in the enforcement of the Liquor Act to prevent and reduce alcohol harm among minors.
This comes after a video circulated on social media showing children drinking alcohol in the streets of Harare on Christmas Day.
Director of SAAPA Zimbabwe Mr Tungamirirai Zimonte said seeing children drinking was a grave violation of the Liquor Act, which regulates the trade in liquor in the country.
“We are appalled by the lack of enforcement of the Liquor Act, which establishes a Liquor Licensing Board and confers powers and functions on officers in relation to licences and permits to sell liquor.
“We are also alarmed by the proliferation of alcohol outlets in Harare, especially in residential areas, which make alcohol easily accessible to minors and vulnerable groups,” Mr Zimonte said.
He pointed out that minors in Zimbabwe were now heavy drinkers with 70,7 percent being males while 55,5 percent were females. He said urgent action was needed to curb the drinking problem among minors.
“Zimbabwe has the highest number of 15 to 19-year-olds in Africa who engage in heavy ‘episodic drinking’ at 70,7 percent among males and 55,5 percent among females, according to a World Health Organisation report. This is a serious public health and social issue that needs urgent action.
“A study conducted in 2002 predicted that by 2022, alcoholism will be Zimbabwe’s number-one social problem.
“We are already witnessing the devastating effects of alcohol abuse on our society, such as increased crime, violence, accidents, poverty and mental health problems,” he said.
Mr Zimonte pleaded with the authorities to take action and enforce the relevant legislation that would make alcohol inaccessible for children on the country’s streets.
“We call on the authorities to take swift action and enforce the Liquor Act. We demand the authorities to uphold the law and punish the offenders.
“We also urge the authorities to implement a comprehensive alcohol policy in Zimbabwe to prevent and reduce alcohol harm among minors and the general population,” said Mr Zimonte.
He appealed to parents, guardians, teachers, religious leaders and community members to play their role in educating and protecting children from alcohol harm.
“We also encourage the media to raise awareness and report responsibly on the issue of alcohol abuse. We believe that together, we can create a safer and healthier environment for our children and our nation.”
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