adminHARARE residents’ concern over the increase in brothels and shebeens needs urgent attention from the authorities.
These places have become havens for drug abuse, child prostitution as well as sanctuaries for illicit deals.
These are also the places which are now known for harbouring criminals who are terrorising residents.
Various stakeholders, including residents’ representatives, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Harare City Council have called for action to be taken against the brothels and shebeens.
The stakeholders noted that shebeens and brothels are not only causing noise pollution but are also promoting vice and drug abuse.
Harare Residents Trust director, Precious Shumba, highlighted that shebeens and brothels were luring young boys and girls into drug abuse and prostitution.
This should be a cause for concern as we are all praying for normalcy to prevail.
The police and the Harare City Council also raised the same concerns.
While some people have blamed unemployment for all this, we all know that there are better ways of making a living.
Promoting vice should never be tolerated.
Shebeen queens and kings should be taken to task for their frontline role in promoting vice.
The sad reality about this is that most of the people promoting these activities are well known.
It’s also sad that the same people running brothels and shebeens even brag about being well connected to some people who are in authority.
In Harare, there are places which are known for providing these illegal services yet the people promoting it remain untouched.
As a law-abiding nation, such activities should not be allowed to continue.
The shebeen/brothel owners, and those seeking services at these places, should be brought to book.
We can’t continue promoting vice as a nation and people should learn to find clean and better ways of making money.
We should promote a culture of hard workers and not law breakers.
There is a reason why there is regulation in the liquor industry.
That is why one will never find drugs like cocaine being sold in bars, which are regulated, because the owners know the price they will pay for selling such stuff.
When such regulations are violated, the law should take its course and those found on the wrong side, like shebeen queens, should then face the music.
The money they spend on bribes to remain in the game is enough for them to rent bars and start operating legally.
What makes this practice a cause for concern is that shebeen queens and brothel owners are operating in our suburbs, exposing children to their immoral acts.
Our children should not be exposed to these illegal activities because we should always strive to raise a nation of morally upright people.
We should not be seen promoting vice, which has destroyed many livelihoods.
It’s high time action be taken so that we end such evil practices, which are destroying our people.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter