Mariental illegal shebeens still operating

By: DENVER ISAACS

A DECISION taken by the Mariental Town Council last month to close all shebeens in the town is yet to be implemented, although the violence that prompted the decision rages on.

Sources at the town have reported the death of yet another visitor

to a shebeen in the Aimablaagte settlement, who was buried this

past weekend.

The young man, identified as 24-year old Egmond Swartz, was

apparently stabbed to death outside the 'Conna Shop' shebeen on

April 26, three weeks after the municipality decided to close all

illegal shebeens there.

 

According to Police, a suspect, John Apollus, has been

arrested.

 

The municipality's decision, taken on Monday April 3, was

prompted by a number of stabbing incidents in the area the weekend

before.

 

At the 'Conna Shop' shebeen alone, two young men were stabbed to

death, while at least six more were hospitalised following an

alleged stabbing spree by two men.

 

The two suspects there have also been arrested and are set to

make their second appearance in the Mariental Magistrate's court on

Thursday.

 

Following the March month-end weekend, Municipality CEO Paul

Nghiwilepo described the scene at the hospital as resembling a

"slaughterhouse."

 

He estimated the number of shebeens in the town at between 80

and 85, saying that all of these were operating illegally.

 

Asked whether the municipality had abandoned its decision to

close the town's watering holes, Public Relations Officer Catherine

Boois said that the municipality was as adamant about it today as

when the decision was taken six weeks ago.

 

"The council decision stands," she said, adding that it was now

up to the Police to enforce the decision.

 

While Hardap Regional Commander Bollen Sankwasa refused to speak

to The Namibian on Monday, he told the Police's public relations

office in Windhoek yesterday that no operation was currently under

way to close down the shebeens.

 

According to Police spokesperson Warrant Officer James Matengu,

the Mariental Police say they closed a number of shebeens following

the March month-end violence, but that a number of people "with

influence" apparently said it was not necessary to close all

shebeens in the area, as not all were guilty of promoting violent

behaviour.

 

Police were currently conducting random operations in the area,

Matengu said.

 

 

The young man, identified as 24-year old Egmond Swartz, was

apparently stabbed to death outside the 'Conna Shop' shebeen on

April 26, three weeks after the municipality decided to close all

illegal shebeens there.According to Police, a suspect, John

Apollus, has been arrested.The municipality's decision, taken on

Monday April 3, was prompted by a number of stabbing incidents in

the area the weekend before.At the 'Conna Shop' shebeen alone, two

young men were stabbed to death, while at least six more were

hospitalised following an alleged stabbing spree by two men.The two

suspects there have also been arrested and are set to make their

second appearance in the Mariental Magistrate's court on

Thursday.Following the March month-end weekend, Municipality CEO

Paul Nghiwilepo described the scene at the hospital as resembling a

"slaughterhouse."He estimated the number of shebeens in the town at

between 80 and 85, saying that all of these were operating

illegally.Asked whether the municipality had abandoned its decision

to close the town's watering holes, Public Relations Officer

Catherine Boois said that the municipality was as adamant about it

today as when the decision was taken six weeks ago."The council

decision stands," she said, adding that it was now up to the Police

to enforce the decision.While Hardap Regional Commander Bollen

Sankwasa refused to speak to The Namibian on Monday, he told the

Police's public relations office in Windhoek yesterday that no

operation was currently under way to close down the

shebeens.According to Police spokesperson Warrant Officer James

Matengu, the Mariental Police say they closed a number of shebeens

following the March month-end violence, but that a number of people

"with influence" apparently said it was not necessary to close all

shebeens in the area, as not all were guilty of promoting violent

behaviour.Police were currently conducting random operations in the

area, Matengu said.

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