adminPatrick Chitumba Senior Reporter
SPORTS bars which have been capitalising on the ongoing World Cup by opening beyond their legal operating hours to accommodate patrons watching late night football matches risk losing their liquor licences.
Zimbabwe is five hours ahead of Brazil, a development that has seen sports bars opening late to accommodate clients watching the soccer matches. Bottle stores are allowed to operate from 8AM to 8PM while sports bar are supposed to close at 11PM.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo said sports bars should not open beyond their closing time.
“There is no need to warn anyone on the consequences associated with committing a crime. Bars should just stick to stipulated hours of operating to avoid violating provisions of their operating licences,” he said.
Speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, sports bar operators said they had been opening outside stipulated hours since the start of the World Cup last week.
“Since the start of the World Cup, we have seen an increase in beer sales as patrons drink while watching matches. We also charge $2 as entry fee. The problem is on the closing time as some matches are played well after the closing time forcing us to remain open,” said an operator in town.
Most football lovers watch the matches in bars where they are guaranteed electricity as most bars have generators in the event of load shedding.
Licensed premises are required by the Liquor Act to apply for an Extended Hours/Occasional Licence that authorises them to sell liquor even beyond closing times to members of the public attending social functions.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter