Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku [email protected]
THE Managing Director of Comrades Beverages Private Limited has appeared in court on behalf of his company which is accused of manufacturing and selling liquor without a licence, and operating an unauthorised factory at an unlawful location.
Mr Langa Bright Moyo appeared on Saturday before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Golden Muyambo facing multiple charges. These include contravening Section 8(1)(4) of the Factories and Works Act (Chapter 14:08) for occupying or using an unauthorised factory; contravening Section 113(1)(a) of the Liquor Act for selling liquor without a licence; and contravening Section 10(1) of Statutory Instrument 18 of the Environmental Management Act (Control of Hazardous Substances).
The accused was not asked to plead, and the matter was postponed to 17 June.
According to the State outline, on 10 June, police detectives on patrol received a tip-off that the accused was manufacturing alcohol at a flat situated in the city centre.
“The detectives proceeded to the place and, upon arrival, introduced themselves and informed Mr Moyo that they were on a compliance check mission. They discovered that the accused was engaged in liquor manufacturing operations at the premises, which are not registered and do not have a certificate to operate a factory,” read the State outline.
Police officers observed that the accused had various types of liquor which he was supplying in and around Bulawayo.
“Police recovered 96 bottles of gin branded Highlanders African Gin, 85 unbranded bottles of liquor, 156 bottles of Kalahari African Gin, and manufacturing equipment,” the State outline further read.
Detectives also discovered 600 litres of ethanol, for which the accused did not possess an Environmental Management Agency (EMA) permit or a storage certificate. The police seized the recovered alcohol and equipment, which will be produced as exhibits in court.
Mr Samuel Mpofu represented the State.
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