malvernmugadzikwa
Sunday Mail Reporter
ALL liquor outlets applying for licence renewal will undergo physical inspection by the Liquor Licensing Board (LLB) to ensure compliance with the new stricter regulations introduced by the Government last year to curb the proliferation of outlets illegally selling alcoholic beverages.
This comes as liquor licences issued in 2023 are set to expire on Monday next week.
In written responses to The Sunday Mail, the LLB said: “All liquor licences expire on June 30, 2024, and they are renewed when the licensee submits the renewal to the LLB secretary online via the Government portal, zimconnect. However, it is a requirement to have the premises inspected for compliance before the renewal is granted.
“The board is still working on the issue of illegal operators; this is a nationwide programme which involves the input of other stakeholders like local authorities, police, health department, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) and the community at large.”
Under the new regulations, the LLB will not renew licences for establishments with a history of public complaints, police fines or inadequate hygiene.
This move follows growing concerns over unsanitary bars and noise linked to some establishments.
Under the new rules, nightclubs without soundproofing, air conditioning or have inadequate hygiene standards, as well as those that have a record of police fines, will not be licensed.
In addition, all bar counter tops and shelves must have a smooth impervious finish, while adequate firefighting appliances and fire escape facilities indicated by prominent notices should be in place.
The LLB said establishments operating in the central business district (CBD) will be dealt with in terms of the law.
“These outlets shall be dealt with on an individual basis, taking into consideration the previously noted infractions; that is, operating in the CBD, bus termini, prominent and busy pick-up points, fuel service stations, nuisance creators, near national monuments, public complaints, three tickets for admission of guilt from ZRP, hibernation spots for touts.
“The joint operation on compliance is consolidating all the relevant data that will be used to address the outlined issue.”
The regulations are part of the Government’s ongoing fight against drug and substance abuse.
“The fight against drug abuse requires a multi-sectoral approach,” added the LLB.
“Being a member of the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse, the LLB belongs to the supply reduction pillar, whose policies are hinged on reducing the supply and accessibility of drugs and substances.
“Excessive use and abuse of alcohol may be a predisposing factor to the use or abuse of other drugs and substances; therefore, the reduction of supply of liquor in those flagged areas, which give easy access to imbibers, results in responsible and controlled consumption of alcohol and noneuse of drugs and other substances.”
There has been an explosion in the number of outlets selling alcoholic beverages in central Harare.
This trend has been largely attributed to low barriers to entry into the sector on account of low capital requirements and licensing fees.
Growth of the informal sector, as well as lax enforcement of liquor licensing and regulation, has also been cited as another reason for the proliferation of the outlets in the capital.
Online Reporter