Keetmans shebeens raided

POLICE at Keetmanshoop, together with the local Liquor Board, swooped on shebeens, bars and nightclubs this weekend and confiscated liquor licences, issued fines and arrested a bar owner for illegal trading.

The Liquor Board Chairperson, Magistrate Philanda Blockstein-Christiaan, yesterday told The Namibian that licences were confiscated and fines issued for offences ranging from noise pollution, operating outside stipulated business hours, allowing underage children at liquor outlets and illegal trading and showing pornographic videos.Licences of liquor outlets including Rosys Inn Disco, Tseiblaagte Club and Sport Bar, Lara’s Bar, TransNamib Sports Bar and Oshakati Lion Man of Action Shebeen were seized, Blockstein-Christiaan said. The owners of these liquor outlets were fined. She added that the Police arrested a bar owner for illegal liquor trading, while liquor was also confiscated at Lara’s Bar. Blockstein-Christiaan said the majority of the town’s liquor outlet owners are not complying with the Liquor Act. ‘They’re only there to safeguard their own interest of money making,’ she remarked.Blockstein-Christiaan said the officers and Liquor Board members encountered stiff resistance during the raids, with patrons at Lara’s Bar hurling racist remarks at them.Blockstein-Christiaan vowed that the Police and the local liquor board would intensify their clampdown on shebeens. ‘We will continue with operations until liquor outlets adhere to the Liquor Act,’ she warned. According to Blockstein-Christiaan, the liquor board has decided not to renew special licences allowing shebeens to operate until the early morning hours, since that is when most alcohol-related crimes are committed.The renewal of liquor licences is set for March.Currently 33 licensed shebeens are operating at the town.Blockstein-Christiaan refuted allegations by some shebeen owners that some shebeens receive ‘special treatment’ despite violating the Liquor Act.’No action was taken against the Fire-fighting Bar owner although his shebeen operated on Friday night outside the business hours,’ claimed a shebeen owner who prefers not to be named. ‘Is he immune because he is a local municipal traffic officer?’ the bar owner asked. Blockstein-Christiaan described these allegations as counter-attacks by liquor outlet owners in retaliation for having been disciplined for violating the Liquor Act. ‘All liquor outlets violating the Liquor Act regulations are receiving the same treatment,’ she said.