Sunridge bars storm, councillor warns of corruption

Talent Gore

THE Harare City Council has pledged to take action against officials suspected of colluding with Sunridge bar owners to renew their operating licences, despite concerns from residents.

At least 120 residents signed a petition calling for bars at Sunridge Shopping Centre to be shut down, while health and operating standards are investigated.

The residents also complained about noise, disorderly behaviour and drug dealing.

One of the bars, Home Ground, was closed, but had its licence renewed under unclear circumstances.

A Councillor has pledged to investigate the matter and to take action against any council member found to have colluded with bar owners.

Ward 16 councillor and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) committee chairperson, Denford Ngadziore, said investigations would be conducted.

Ngadziore said if bar licences were still being renewed, even after residents had raised concerns, it showed that corruption was involved.

“Definitely heads will roll. This is illegal and this is a scandal that we are supposed to investigate,” he said.

“Residents have been raising serious concerns about these bars at Sunridge Shopping Centre and we will make sure residents’ concerns are addressed.

“Any person implicated must be investigated and anyone involved must be brought to book.

“We are here to serve residents, so whenever they raise any issue, they should not be ignored,” he said.