admin“There is a lot of criminal activity taking place in the CBD. Theft, shoplifting and mugging is taking place in night clubs and bars and as police we have adopted a system whereby we said let us go out and look into those with licences and those without,” he said.
“We are already doing that and soon we would establish which ones operate legally or illegally. Also of concern is the fact that such outlets allow minors into the bars thereby causing immorality.”
Chief Supt Maninge who moved to Bulawayo from Gweru recently, had earlier on appealed to businesspeople at the crime consultative forum to partner with police in the fight against crime.
Said Chief Supt Maninge: “We know there is a lot of crime taking place around town, especially now that we are moving towards the festive season. Most of criminal activities occur at bars and nightclubs. We want to urge those that do not have licences to start running around before we descend on them.
“It is in these outlets where a lot of immoral behaviour takes place because they are allowing underage people to get in, buy and consume alcohol. It is surprising that they do so despite it being illegal to allow children under the age of 18 into liquor outlets.”
He also condemned raunchy dancers, Beverly Sibanda (Bev) and Noleen Sifelani (Zoey), saying they were contributing to immorality in the city.
“We cannot sit and watch Bulawayo, a city that was known for morality and cleanliness being reduced to a place of immorality by allowing criminal activities to prevail.
“Also, dancers like Bev are causing immorality and as commanding officer for the CBD I will make sure the city is free from criminal activities like mugging, assault and robbery,” said Chief Supt Maninge.
Early this year, concern was raised that most liquor outlets in Bulawayo were violating the Liquor Act by operating outside prescribed hours with the Government losing thousands of dollars in revenue.
During festive season, liquor outlets are supposed to apply for additional licences to be allowed to extend hours of their operations.
Online Reporter