adminNyanga Correspondent
Councils should close all their beer halls as they are loss-making ventures which are crippling the smooth running of local authorities, a senior Government official has said.The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, said the old trade was no longer profitable to councils.
“If bars are no longer profitable for you (councils), then why do you continue running them? You better lease them to individuals or use them to venture into other viable businesses.”
The Permanent Secretary for Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Engineer George Mlilo, also echoed the same sentiments.
“People are no longer interested drinking beer in these old-fashioned beer halls and there is no point in keeping on running them,” said Eng Mlilo. Mutare Mayor Tatenda Nhamarare said his council had since leased all beer halls to local business people. “We have since leased most of these properties. It was no longer profitable as the structures are old fashioned and dilapidated yet we will be competing with modern bottle stores with better facilities,” he said.
However, Rusape Town Council chairman Mr Amon Chawasarira said they were still running three outlets and realising profits.
“We are planning on refurbishing our structures to their previous glory. We have Nyaradzai Bar at Rusape Musika which has been giving us huge profits. Leasing it will be a gross miscalculation because someone will enjoy the brisk business there.”
Meanwhile, Eng Mlilo said the Liquor Act will be amended to enable councils to have full control on beer consumption in their respective areas of jurisdiction and also realise revenue from the licensing process.
“People have been trading without proper documents citing the rigorous process to obtain them. We would decentralise the issuance of these licences whereby people will access and fill the forms on the internet. Local authorities should give licences only to those with ZIMRA Tax Clearance Certificate (ITF 263),” said Eng Mlilo.
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