Residents challenge council over shebeens

Midlands Correspondent
Kwekwe residents are challenging council to take swift action against illegal beer outlets (shebeens) that are sprouting around the city. Shebeens have become popular, with most markets within the bus terminus having been converted into illegal beer outlets.

The shebeens have become a haven of criminals and pose a security threat to the public.

The outcry by the residents grew louder after the gruesome murder of a man within the terminus by assailants who were drinking beer at one of the shebeens.

Comment Moyo, who was waiting to board a bus, was attacked by machetes and died on the spot following a misunderstanding with a gang that was drinking beer at one of the shebeens.

Kwekwe Residents and Ratepayers Association (KRRA) secretary general Mr Alex Homela called for swift action by the council. “The local authority has a job to do, he said.

I suggest they engage the Zimbabwe Republic Police and eradicate those illegal beer outlets before they cause more damage to the society.”

Mr Homela hailed the council for successfully moving vendors to designated areas and said the local authority should also do the same on the shebeens.

Mr Peter Gwaringofa, a commuter omnibus operator, said the shebeens have become a menace in the bus terminus.

“The shebeens are so popular that most kombi operators spend their time there, he said.

That is where illicit drugs and beer are sold, of late the gold panners have also found a second home in the shebeens because police do not frequent the places.”

Kombi drivers also frequent the places resulting in them driving whilst drunk.

Mrs Virgina Mbetu, who owns a market within the terminus, expressed concern over corrupt municipal officers who are often seen drinking beer at the joints. “What is worrying is that you see the municipal police officers drinking at the places.

I think it is a way of bribing them and they know everyone who owns or sell beer in there,” she said.

Kwekwe mayor Councillor Angeline Kasipo said measures were already in place to contain the shebeens. “We have measures in place to address the issues among them is to engage beer suppliers so that they do not sell beer to unlicensed beer outlets, he said.

We will also deploy our police and even engage ZRP to assist in solving the matter.”