Crackdown on illegal shebeens sparks protest, eight arrested

CONFLICT between Walvis Bay’s shebeen owners, residents and authorities is reaching boiling point, with eight shebeen owners arrested over the weekend.

Frans and Emily Shimi, Jason Paulus, Alhia Asino, Paulus Mathias, Ndapewa Amanyanga, Erastus Shilumbu and Shilunga Ofhange were all taken into custody in Kuisebmond on Friday and Saturday on charges of operating shebeens without a liquor licence. All eight appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where they were released on the condition that they return to court for the continuation on August 21 and 22.The Namibian understands that a protest by members of the Namibian Shebeen Association (NSA) will most likely be staged in Walvis Bay today.An urgent meeting was held until late yesterday where Town Councillors, Police officials, the NSA and other stakeholders tried to find common ground.The issue of shebeens in residential areas, especially in Kuisebmond, has been simmering under the surface for some time now.Almost exactly a year ago, The Namibian reported that authorities launched a campaign to address the problem.A grace period was given to all shebeen owners in which to obtain the necessary licence, after which the heedless would have been closed down summarily.It was reported then that only about 14 of the estimated 400 shebeens in Walvis Bay were legal businesses.The most recent survey showed that almost 300 shebeens in the town are still operating illegally.Nampol acted last weekend, days after an umpteenth community meeting where residents complained to the authorities about the way in which shebeens are affecting the quality of their lives.Police Chief Inspector Elizabeth Mukete sounded a stern warning at Tuesday’s meeting, saying: “If you are operating illegally, please close down your shebeen before we do it for you.”Neither Regional Police Commissioner Andrew Iyambo nor NSA President Veripi Kandenge could be reached for comment by the time of going to press.All eight appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where they were released on the condition that they return to court for the continuation on August 21 and 22.The Namibian understands that a protest by members of the Namibian Shebeen Association (NSA) will most likely be staged in Walvis Bay today.An urgent meeting was held until late yesterday where Town Councillors, Police officials, the NSA and other stakeholders tried to find common ground.The issue of shebeens in residential areas, especially in Kuisebmond, has been simmering under the surface for some time now.Almost exactly a year ago, The Namibian reported that authorities launched a campaign to address the problem.A grace period was given to all shebeen owners in which to obtain the necessary licence, after which the heedless would have been closed down summarily.It was reported then that only about 14 of the estimated 400 shebeens in Walvis Bay were legal businesses.The most recent survey showed that almost 300 shebeens in the town are still operating illegally.Nampol acted last weekend, days after an umpteenth community meeting where residents complained to the authorities about the way in which shebeens are affecting the quality of their lives.Police Chief Inspector Elizabeth Mukete sounded a stern warning at Tuesday’s meeting, saying: “If you are operating illegally, please close down your shebeen before we do it for you.”Neither Regional Police Commissioner Andrew Iyambo nor NSA President Veripi Kandenge could be reached for comment by the time of going to press.