“Snitch” on shebeen operators- David Coltart

BULAWAYO City Council mayor, Councillor David Coltart has proposed that the local authority should alert residents on various platforms available for them to report pop-up shebeens in the city.

The initiative aims to address the growing number of such establishments, while authorities also intend to compile a list of individuals violating liquor regulations with the intention of reporting them to the Liquor Licensing Board. The board is the regulatory and controlling authority of the liquor industry in Zimbabwe

A shebeen is essentially an illicit (or illegal) facility where alcohol is sold without a licence. There are many such facilities in Bulawayo.

It could be set up inside someone’s house, outdoors or even in a pub itself.

The matter came up following a request for council representation to a planned Liquor licencing Board on the control of the proliferation of bottle stores in the CBD back in October.

“The participation of the Director of Town Planning (Mr Wisdom Siziba) in the Liquor Licensing Board’s consultative meeting to review and improve the Liquor Licensing Act was very key, as it allowed Local Authorities to contribute to the Liquor Licensing Act,” reads part of the General Purposes Committee report.

During the discussion, Cllr Coltart expressed concern about the unauthorised sale of alcohol throughout the city.

“The matter was considered and His Worship the Mayor (Senator D. Coltart) expressed concern on the unauthorised sale of alcohol throughout the City. He highlighted that some residents were establishing shebeens in their homes and enquired on the measures Council was taking to combat these pop-up shebeens. He recommended that Council, through the Corporate Communications office, communicate the various platforms available for residents to report such cases.”

The report said Mr Siziba emphasised the need to control the proliferation of bottle stores in the City.

“He stated that the department would compile a list of individuals in violation of the regulations and report them to the Liquor Licensing Board. Council was moving towards zoning the CBD, which would help reduce the number of bottle stores in the City. He further explained that while the police were responsible for controlling shebeens, it was Council’s duty to identify them.

“Enforcement and prohibition orders would be issued to these illegal liquor dealers once they were identified. He also mentioned that Council relied on members of the public and health inspectors to identify and report shebeens across the City.”

The Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube weighed in saying residents were actively reporting such cases and their concerns were not ignored.

“However, he pointed out that reports were sometimes directed to the wrong offices, highlighting the need for clear communication regarding the appropriate reporting channels.”