The Bars and Night Clubs Owners Association of Zambia says there is need to curb the illegal sale of alcohol, as it is the cause of alcohol abuse in the country, which has grave consequences.
Association President Peter Mwale said the association is aware of the alcohol abuse going on in the country, which is largely due to illicit beer practices therefore the relevant authorities should deal with the matter.
Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Mwale said there is need to enforce, regulate and monitor the sale of alcohol in order to uproot the people who are selling illicit alcohol.
He noted that alcohol abuse is a problem that has been there time immemorial and the country has adequate laws to deal with the issue therefore the relevant authorities should step up their efforts to deal with the matter adding that the problem is with law enforcement agencies who are not doing their job.
Mwale added that alcohol abuse is largely due to illicit beer brews like kachasu therefore the authority should turn up and deal with this problem, which can be sorted within a month because the law is clear on the issue.
“We know where the problem is, I don’t understand why we go round in circles, we know where this problem is coming from and it’s coming from tujilijili. If you go in town people are selling beer in makeshift places, why are we ignoring where the problem is coming from?” he said.
He stressed that the association represents legitimate bar and nightclub owners who have a valid liquor license and anyone without a valid liquor license is operating illegally adding that it is those illegal businesses that government should deal with.
“Go round in town, you will see that most people in there are drunk, street kids are drinking and they drink tujilijili. The street kids drink kachasu, they don’t drink mosi and they smoke, you can’t blame those on bars and nightclubs”, he said.
Mwale noted that the association complies with the Liquor Licensing Act in the manner which it sales its alcoholic beverages adding that the association does not allow underage drinking and regulates operating hours.
